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Home > News Listing > News Article

HealthTeam Responds to H1N1 Outbreak

 

As of June11th, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert level from phase 5 to 6, meaning that a global outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu has begun. Phase 6 means that the virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in two WHO regions. Drug makers have been asked to speed up production of a swine flu vaccine, which should be available after September. WHO does not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe and fatal infections. They stress that most cases are mild and require no treatment. Swine flu is also continuing to spread during the start of summer in the northern hemisphere. Normally, flu viruses disappear with warm weather, but swine flu is proving to be resilient.

At the first news of a potential pandemic influenza outbreak back in April, MSU HealthTeam established a taskforce that developed and coordinated HealthTeam’s response. Members of this taskforce included Mary Nettleman, M.D., Dele Davies, M.D., University Physician Elizabeth Alexander, M.D., Dave Weismantel, M.D., Olin Health Center nursing, and HT administration and operations staff. The taskforce developed patient triaging and processing protocols, accessed inventories of supplies and antivirals, and initiated the process of respirator fit-testing for the faculty and staff.

A planning committee is working on a general pandemic plan specific to the needs, roles and functions of the HealthTeam. This will address things such as staffing, supplies, environment, lab, communication plan, education and training of staff, information materials for patients, patient management for healthy and sick patients, infection control plan, vaccine/antiviral/medications, and employee health considerations. As this plan is finalized, it will be communicated to all departments.

Please contact Susan Dolby, Quality & Risk Administrator @ 432-6690 if you have questions or would like additional information.

 

 

 

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