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LAGUNA PROVINCIAL HOSPITALINFLUENZA A (H1N1) CONTINGENCY PLAN

Purpose

This plan informs health care personnel, public health, andgovernment officials at all levels of the necessary capabilities thatmust be present for successful hospital management of an outbreakof H1N1. It also enumerates the necessary actions that must betaken to attain these capabilities. The performance of thenecessary actions will fall to parties including public health officialsand hospitals administrators, medical staff, nursing and supportservices. The goal of this guidance is to protect the health careinfrastructure and ensure the delivery of emergency medicaltreatment and other essential care during a large scale epidemic or

pandemic.

Background

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that was first detected inMay, 2009. It is thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads inthe same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainlythrough the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with thevirus.1 The novel influenza that hit our country is a mild one butbecause this is a new virus, most people do not have immunity to it,and illness may be more widespread as a result. In addition, the

vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 virus is not expected to beavailable until before the end of this year. Therefore, health careinstitutions, hospitals specifically, should prepare for high volumesof sick and contagious people seeking care.

Disaster Preparedness Measures

1. Hospital Setup

a. Develop a triage area were patient will be screened

prior to being sent to appropriate services.b. Develop or construct a holding area in the Emergency

Room were infectious cases are to be examined andevaluated.

c. Identify and prepare a single room which will be use asconfinement / isolation area for admitted H1N1 cases.

2. Logistics

a. Supply office will prioritize the supplies, medicine andequipment that will be needed by the hospital staff andpatients.

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b. Emphasis will be on the availability of PPEs at criticalareas such as Emergency Room, Out Patient section,Laboratories and Wards.

c. Stocked up on thermometers, surgical masks, N95masks and impervious gloves for employees and visitors

3. Healthcare Personnel

a. Promote a healthy life style for all staffb. Plan and promote immunization of staff specially those

who are assigned in high risk areac. Continuous education and orientation for staff and

affiliate studentsd. Identify additional manpower requirements and working

schedule needed to maintain critical functionse. Retraining of staff for some other critical functions i.e.

throat swabbingf. Keep updated on the latest DOH advisory, and

accordingly develop / implement policies andprecautions to safeguard employees health and well-being

4. Guidelines

a. Disease Surveillancei. Daily reporting of any incidence pertaining to

H1N1 casesii. Include in the list of reportable diseasesiii. Follow up / monitoring of H1N1 cases if anyiv. Laboratory personnel participates in throat

swabbing of cases in the community as requestedv. Results of these test will be monitored and

reported

b. Education of Employeesi. Inform employees on relevant H1N1 advisories

and guidelines issued by the DOH

ii. Advised employees on flu symptoms, overseastravel, practice of personal hygiene, socialresponsibility and the adoption of a healthylifestyle

iii. Advised employees not to come to work if they arenot feeling well. During mitigation phase, advisedemployees who develop flu symptoms (e.g. fever,cough, sore-throat) to wear surgical masks, and tovisit the hospital emergency department for initialassessment and treatment.

iv. Staff exposed to someone with the followingsymptoms-- elevated temp >37.8 degrees Celsius

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and respiratory symptoms to include coughing,sneezing, sore throat, runny nose-- need topractice droplet precautions:-Surgical Masks-Eye protection

-Handwashing

c. Precaution Remindersi. Displayed health advisories to inform visitors on

preventive measures. Flu-related safety guidelinesigns are being posted at entrances and will beupdated if/when a change occurs.

ii. H1N1 precautions have not changed. Continue topractice the basic droplet precautions that havebeen in place

iii. Visitation policies have not changed. To remainconsistent with community standards and avoidunnecessary risk, we encourage the followingpeople to avoid visiting the hospitals:-people who have weak immune systems;-women who are pregnant;-children 12 years old and under.

d. Environmental Cleanliness

i. Cleaning of all office space and common facilities

are at least dailyii. Implement Infection control measures in line with

the advisories on public health measures issuedby the DOH

iii. Inform cleaning crew of daily cleaning procedureand procedure for disinfection of areas exposed toa case

iv. Frequently touched surfaces are washed/wipedwith 1:50 diluted household bleach. 70% alcoholis used to wipe surfaces where use of bleach is notsuitable e.g. metal. Soiled surfaces are cleaned

with water and detergent before applying alcoholor bleach

v. Cleaning crew is informed of symptoms, usage ofimpervious gloves and N95 mask when cleaningrooms use by H1N1 patients and type ofdisinfectant to use

vi. Advice cleaning crew that cleaning equipment usean isolation room should not to be use for otherrooms

5. Procedures On Handling H1N1 Suspect Case (CUO)

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