The address, phone number, and other contact information for each county health department can be accessed at the following link on the ISDH Web site: http://www.in.gov/isdh/23926.htm.
ISDH Hotline for General Public H1N1 Questions The State Department of Health has opened a “hotline” number 877-826-0011 for H1N1 questions from the general public.
Nov. 24
WHO Revises Guidance for Clinical Management of H1N1 This guidance provides updated information for health care providers managing patients with suspected or confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009. It incorporates knowledge gained about clinical features of pandemic influenza through international consultations. Read the guidance.
Nov. 17
WHO Recommendations Regarding Mass Gatherings The WHO issued new recommendations this week regarding mass gatherings, which are generally characterized as events with 1,000 or more in attendance. Interim Guidance on H1N1 Influenza in Intrapartum, Postpartum Hospital Settings This document clarifies clinical considerations related to the management of suspected or confirmed maternal infection with H1N1. Several options are provided based on hospital configuration, staffing, and surge capacity. http://www.flu.gov/professional/hospital/obstetricsettings.html Nov. 4 Hall Render Issues Memo on 1135 Waiver Hall Render, IHA’s general counsel, has issued a memo regarding details of the 1135 waiver application process. Answers to frequently asked questions are contained within the memo. Read memo. N1 OB Isolation Protocol, Counseling Consent Form Clarian Health Partners Inc., Indianapolis, has generously shared the documents it has developed for an OB Isolation Protocol and a Counseling Consent Form regarding rooming-in options for newborns. Oct. 28Fact Sheet on Requesting 1135 Waiver Under section 1135 of the Social Security Act, certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements may be temporarily waived or modified when the President declares a disaster or emergency. Hospital Alternative Care Sites during H1N1 Public Health Emergency Guidance related to payment, conditions of participation, and standards of care related to alternative care sites established to evaluate and treat patients for H1N1 illness. CMS Fact Sheets CMS website contains a comprehensive set of questions and answers with original Medicare coverage and payment information, EMTALA information, and more.
Oct.21
Respirator Fit Testing and Extended Use Policies St. Vincent, Indianapolis, has developed policies for respirator fit testing and extended use based on an emergency use authorization (EUA) during a pandemic influenza emergency. These policies may be replicated or modified to meet the needs of other hospitals. Special thanks to Toni Herron, emergency preparedness coordinator, St. Vincent Hospital, for sharing these policies.
H1N1 Vaccine Consent Form A single state wide H1N1 consent form has not been created for Indiana. The consent form template may be modified for use in your organization, if desired. This template was generously provided by Annette Rodriguez, Director of Public Health, Corpus Christi, TX. Strategic National Stockpile Request Form SNS supplies can be ordered using the SNS Hospital Re-order form.
Strategic National Stockpile Cover Letter Template A sample letter to the local health department to include with the SNS reorder form. Visitor Restriction Policy A “Visitor Restrictions during a Public Health Emergency” policy was developed by the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety. This document provides an excellent model for a visitation policy. The use of this specific policy (or any visitation policy) is not mandated by the IHA or ISDH. The following is another example of a visitation policy that has been created by Deaconess Health System:
Example- To keep our patients, visitors and staff safe, Deaconess is restricting hospital visitation during this flu season to decrease the risk of spreading H1N1 (swine flu) infection. DO NOT visit patients:
The number of visitors present in the hospital is limited to only two per patient.
Be aware that you may be asked to leave the facility, put on a mask, or clean your hands.
Every visitor entering or exiting a patient’s room must clean hands with soap and water or use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer. NOTE: Additional modifications restricting visitation may be in place in the patient area you are visiting.
Oct. 14 Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace GuidanceThe U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a technical assistance document that identifies principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning.
Additionally, Hall Render has issued a memo on this issue. Read the memo.
Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius extended the PREP Act declaration for pandemic vaccines to cover H1N1 vaccines.Q & A on 2009 H1N1 Vaccine FinancingProviders may not charge for the H1N1 vaccine or ancillary supplies, but they may charge or bill for vaccine administration.
Sept.15
CDC 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Planning ChecklistThe checklist outlines the main 2009 influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccine (2009 H1N1 vaccine) planning actions. Within each state, the checklist should be tailored to distinguish between state and local responsibilities.
Emergency Medical Services and Non-Emergent (Medical) Transport Organizations Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist EMS and medical transport organizations can use this checklist to help prepare for a pandemic.
Medical Offices and Clinics Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist Specific steps are outlined in this checklist that medical offices and clinics, including outpatient care clinics, can take prepare for a pandemic.
Home Health Care Services Checklist This checklist identifies specific steps that home health care service providers can take now to prepare for a pandemic. Sept. 9
Prepare for Mass Immunization Process; Register With CHIRP Hospitals are encouraged to register with CHIRP (Children and Hoosiers Immunization Registry) as soon as possible. Each hospital should fill out a Provider Site and Enrollment Agreement form. In addition, each person who will enter data into the CHIRP system at the hospital should complete an Individual User Agreement form. These forms are located at the CHIRP Web site, https://chirp.in.gov/chirp_files/chirp_docs.htm, and should be faxed to 317/233-8827.Some Indiana hospitals are already registered in the CHIRP system. You can verify if your hospital is already registered by reviewing the list for your county. See the list. Questions regarding the CHIRP system can be answered by the CHIRP Helpline at 888/227-4439. The CHIRP home page also contains other helpful information and links.
Aug. 26
Pan Flu: Preparing for the Second Wave
An updated presentation, which can be used to educate the general population at the hospitals about pandemic influenza.
H1N1 Web sites and Resources