Nursing home residents will not be in the initial priority list for vaccine.
At the same time NH will face an anticipated shortage of antiviral medications. NH may be sites of
acute management of influenza if hospitals are overwhelmed.
Checklist:
1. Pandemic Influenza disaster Plan
• Coordinate with DOH disaster management program.
• Create a multidisciplinary team for pandemic preparedness.
• Identify members of pandemic response team
o Medical
o Nursing
o Environmental maintenance
o Transport
• Educate and train/drill team members
2. List important contact numbers
• Coordinator, Contact with Health department
• Area hospitals points of contacts identified
• Nearest referral government or private hospital
• Emergency room telephone number, cell phone a
• Identify modes of communication
• Communication plan in the absence of available telephone access
• Useful Websites
3. Surveillance plan
May link to DOH surveillance network
4. Vaccination and Antiviral plan
• Seasonal flu vaccine for all residents unless contraindications exist.
• Achieve Herd Immunity by vaccinating at least 80% of staff members and close contacts.
• Priority list for pandemic vaccine (usually limited supply)
• Antivirals if susceptible
• Vaccine education
• Budget allocation
5. Occupational health plan
• First line team
• Shifting schedule
• Plan for event when staff get sick or need to be quarantined
6. Supplies
• Personal Protective Device ex. Masks
• Disinfectants
• Food and water supply
• Isolation rooms
Reference: Mody L and Cinti, S JAGS 2007
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