Coordinating Call Centers for Responding to Pandemic Influenza and Other Public Health Emergencies

Thursday February 18th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Room: A706

Town Hall

Session Number: 163

In an emergency situation, most people will dial 911 for assistance. However, in a large-scale emergency, the number of people calling 911 at the same time may overwhelm the 911 system during an influenza pandemic. Preventing this scenario can be achieved through a coordinated call center system that ties a network of call centers together to manage a surge of calls demanding care or information. This session teaches three main components: coordinating call centers, offering medical triage over the phone, and disseminating information to the public. Participants will work within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's workbook, "Coordinating Call Centers for Pandemic Influenza and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Workbook for State and Local Planners."

The National Health Security Strategy: Paving the Way for Successful Implementation

Thursday February 18th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Room: Atrium Ballroom A

Town Hall

Session Number: 471

The nation has experienced the need for a common vision and strategy for national health security— this was codified in a legislative requirement. The first quadrennial National Health Security Strategy (NHSS) has been developed and is accompanied by an Interim Implementation Guide. The NHSS will not effect change unless it is successfully and nationally implemented. The Interim Implementation Guide establishes preliminary work necessary for future implementation activities, and development of the Biennial Implementation Plan is underway. Successful implementation—achievement of the goals and objectives as detailed in the NHSS—will require the engagement and actions of individuals, communities (to include private, non-governmental, academic and civic organizations), and governments at all levels. Currently, input is sought with respect to implementation steps and other considerations to meet the strategic objectives.  This session will describe the process used to develop the Biennial Implementation Plan and opportunities for engagement.

Preparing for a Surge Incident: Alternate Care Systems and Crisis Standards of Care

Thursday February 18th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Room: A704

Town Hall

Session Number: 477

The current influenza pandemic caused by H1N1 underscores the immediate and critical need to prepare for a public health emergency in which thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of people suddenly seek and require medical care in communities nationwide. Alternate care systems have been proposed in pandemic influenza preparedness plans at all levels of government, but their functions and roles have been unclear. Situations may occur in which the access to medical care is limited by the availability of health and medical resources, including access to care in the hospital. Decisions regarding the allocation of resources will have to be made, with resulting changes to the conventional standard of care. This interactive session will show the process that officials in Summit County, Ohio, went through in 2008 and 2009, to develop an alternate care system for their county to handle such crisis situations. Building upon this local example, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will present lessons learned from working with other community partners in establishing similar alternate care systems. Experts from the Institute of Medicine's Crisis Standards of Care Committee will review their guidance for developing and implementing plans for crisis standards of care including the key elements that should be included in standards of care protocols, and a review of the operational matrix that should be considered when preparing for such catastrophic events.

The 2009 H1N1 Outbreak: Local Health Departments and Research Partners Share Lessons Learned

Thursday February 18th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Room: Atrium Ballroom B/C

Town Hall

Session Number: 481

Outbreak of the novel H1N1 virus challenged public health to respond when there was uncertainty about the transmission rate, severity of disease, and best measures to treat and control infection. During this session, presenters will share case studies and comparative analyses of the real-world responses in local health departments (LHDs), methods to assess the causes and consequences of variations in H1N1 response activities across LHDs, and lessons learned and after -action reports from the 2009 experience.