Pandemic Influenza: VUMC Faculty

1. Pandemic Influenza:VUMC Faculty/Staff Education Slide 1 Slide 1

2. What is pandemic influenza? Pandemic influenza is a global disease outbreak due to a new influenza A virus. Most people are not immune to this new virus, making it easy to spread worldwide. One type of pandemic influenza is avian (or �bird�) flu. Read SlideRead Slide

3. Why is everyone worried about pandemic influenza? Almost everyone is susceptible to the new virus, so many could become sick or even die from infection. The expected large number of sick patients could put a strain upon all healthcare facilities and may impact many areas of everyday life. Read SlideRead Slide

4. Will a pandemic influenza outbreak occur? If so, when? WE DON�T KNOW It is a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. However, the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted. Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the past century� in 1918, 1957, and 1968. Read SlideRead Slide

5. What will happen in a pandemic? A large portion of the world�s population will require some form of medical care. The healthcare system could be overwhelmed with a large number of sick patients, and many people may die. Widespread disruptions of work and social life may occur. Read SlideRead Slide

6. What effect will a pandemic have on VUMC? Staff will be expected to work as assigned. Staff will also have to cope with needs at home since schools and businesses may be closed and family members may become ill. There may be a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators, and other supplies. Antiviral medications and vaccines will be in short supply or even unavailable. Read SlideRead Slide

7. What is the government doing to prepare for pandemic influenza? The federal government, including the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security, is actively preparing for a pandemic situation through education, funding, drills, media attention, etc. The Tennessee State Department of Health has a pandemic influenza plan addressing needs at the state level. Metropolitan Nashville, through the Metro Health Department, is preparing locally for a pandemic. For more information go to www.pandemicflu.gov or www.cdc.gov Read SlideRead Slide

8. What is VUMC doing to prepare for a pandemic? Planning efforts have been underway for several years for this type of emergency. Our inventory of necessary equipment, supplies, and medications is constantly being evaluated to optimize our provisions. Emergency drills to test our plans are ongoing. Information on VUMC�s pandemic plan is available to all VUMC personnel through in-services and at www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/ep. Read SlideRead Slide

9. What is the VUMC Pandemic Flu plan? Vanderbilt has a tiered plan. The tiers are based upon the current level of pandemic flu activity in the US and worldwide. VUMC Executive Leadership Team members collaborate with the Emergency Response Team to activate each tier of the plan. Read SlideRead Slide

10. Plan Review Slide 10: This slide illustrates that our plan is based on recommendations of the CDC, WHO, and the state plan. It also illustrates the collaborative effort between VU and VUMC. The plan provides guidelines for decision-making based on the severity of the situation and recommends actions to be taken by VUMC to assure the wellbeing of faculty, staff, patients, students, and visitors.Slide 10: This slide illustrates that our plan is based on recommendations of the CDC, WHO, and the state plan. It also illustrates the collaborative effort between VU and VUMC. The plan provides guidelines for decision-making based on the severity of the situation and recommends actions to be taken by VUMC to assure the wellbeing of faculty, staff, patients, students, and visitors.

11. Slide 11: This slide provides you with an consolidated overview of the VUMC Contagious Pathogen Plan. A detail outline of the plan can be found under resources in your books. Go over the slide.Slide 11: This slide provides you with an consolidated overview of the VUMC Contagious Pathogen Plan. A detail outline of the plan can be found under resources in your books. Go over the slide.

12. Will VUMC employees be offered pandemic flu vaccine? There is currently one licensed vaccine for pandemic flu but it has limited effect. Others are in development and clinical trials. In a pandemic it may take 6 to 9 months for any vaccine to be available. When vaccine is available to VUMC, our first priority will be to vaccinate our personnel following CDC guidelines, regardless of which Tier is in effect. Read SlideRead Slide

13. How can I protect myself against pandemic influenza? Use respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Practice hand hygiene. Place patients suspected of having pandemic flu on airborne and contact precautions*. *subject to change pending final CDC recommendations. Read SlideRead Slide

14. What is respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette? Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Practice good hand hygiene at all times Keep 3 feet or more between you and anyone with respiratory symptoms unless wearing appropriate protection. Read SlideRead Slide

15. What are airborne and contact precautions? Patients needing Airborne Precautions have diseases like pulmonary tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. These diseases use the air currents to float through the air for long periods of time. The special diseases like smallpox, SARS, and Ebola also require Airborne Precautions but would only be seen at Vanderbilt under very unusual circumstances.Patients needing Airborne Precautions have diseases like pulmonary tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. These diseases use the air currents to float through the air for long periods of time. The special diseases like smallpox, SARS, and Ebola also require Airborne Precautions but would only be seen at Vanderbilt under very unusual circumstances.

16. What about isolation for VUMC clinics and Home Health personnel? Negative pressure rooms are generally not available for home care and are not located in clinics Family members are not required to wear a mask around ill patients in the home. Clinic and Home Health HCWs may need N-95 respirator, goggles, gown and gloves when caring for patients. Read SlideRead Slide

17. How should I prepare myself and my family for pandemic flu? The effects of a pandemic can be lessened for you and your family if you prepare ahead of time. Review your state�s planning efforts, those of your local health department, and office of emergency management. Read SlideRead Slide

18. Should I get the regular seasonal flu shot? YES Any VUMC healthcare worker with patient contact should get a seasonal flu vaccine every year to protect yourself, your family, and your patients. Read SlideRead Slide

19. NO The seasonal flu shot, while effective in preventing seasonal flu, does not protect you against pandemic flu. Researchers are currently developing a vaccine specifically for pandemic flu. Will the seasonal flu shot protect me against pandemic flu? Read SlideRead Slide

20. If bird flu is such a worry, is it safe to eat poultry? YES It is safe to eat properly cooked poultry. Cooking destroys germs, including the bird flu virus. The United States also bans imports of poultry and poultry products from countries where bird flu has been found. Read SlideRead Slide

21. What are some challenges my family and I may face during a pandemic? Many services you depend on everyday may be disrupted: - This includes banks, restaurants, government offices, healthcare facilities, & telephone services. - Stores may close or have limited supplies. - Public transportation may be disrupted. - Public gatherings/services may be cancelled. - Travel may be limited due to fuel shortages. - Food and water supplies may be interrupted and/or limited. Read SlideRead Slide

22. - Being expected to work may be challenging. - Schools and day care centers may be closed for extended periods of time. - School related extracurricular activities could be disrupted. - Medical care for people with special needs could be disrupted (dialysis, Home Health needs, routine psychiatric and medical care) What are some challenges my family and I may face during a pandemic? Read SlideRead Slide

23. What can I do to prepare? Store a two week supply of water and food: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, soups Baby food Pet food Bottled water Canned juices Have a supply of cash (small bills and coins) Store a two week supply of emergency supplies: Prescribed medical supplies (glucose monitoring equipment) Soap or alcohol-based hand wash Thermometer Flashlight with extra batteries Portable radio Manual can opener Garbage bags Toilet paper Disposable diapers Personal items Read SlideRead Slide

24. Ask your doctor and insurance company if you can get an extra supply of prescription drugs. Maintain a supply of nonprescription drugs and other health supplies to include: pain relievers, stomach/diarrhea remedies, cough and cold medications, vitamins, and fluids with electrolytes (Gatorade). What can I do to prepare? Read SlideRead Slide

25. Talk with family members and loved ones about the importance of planning ahead for pandemic flu. Discuss the importance of pandemic flu planning with your neighbors and church members. Have a back-up plan for child/elder/pet care in place since you are needed at VUMC. Prepare living will documents for all family members. What can I do to prepare? Read SlideRead Slide

26. Prepare a family emergency health information sheet for each family member which includes: - name, blood type, allergies, past/current medical conditions, current medications/dosages Prepare an emergency contact list with area code for each family member to carry with them at all times to include: - local emergency contact, out-of-town personal emergency contact, hospitals near work, school, home, family physician(s), state public health department, pharmacy, employer contact, school contact, veterinarian, and religious affiliation What can I do to prepare? Read SlideRead Slide

27. Where can I get a checklist to make sure I have everything I need? http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/Individuals.pdf Read SlideRead Slide

28. Where can I get additional information? Visit www.pandemicflu.gov Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline 1-800-232-4636 (available in English and Spanish 24/7) TTY: 1-888-232-6348 Department of Infection Control & Prevention � 936-0725 VUMC Occupational Health Clinic � 936-0955 VUMC Department of Emergency Preparedness � 322-0242 - www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/ep Read SlideRead Slide