Emergency Preparedness : Emergency Preparedness Your Health is in Your Hands Created By: Patty Todd, SUNY Canton
Adapted for Clarkson University by: Judy Chagnon, NP
Why Be Prepared? : Why Be Prepared? We are always at risk for unexpected disruption
in our world such as:
Natural disasters like weather emergencies
and power outages
Terrorism and Bioterrorism like smallpox and
anthrax
Diseases like Pandemic Flu
Pandemics : Pandemics
Unlike other disasters that may be confined
to a specific area and be of limited duration,
a pandemic is unique because of its global
impact and long duration. Avian Flu (Bird Flu)
has recently emerged as a potential pandemic
threat to the world.
Here is just a quick overview of pandemic flu.
What is Influenza? : What is Influenza? Acute, febrile respiratory illness affecting nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs
Epidemics caused by influenza viruses A and B (Type C uncommon in people; no epidemics)
Occurs worldwide, causing considerable morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) each year Symptoms appear rapidly
Influenza Symptoms : Influenza Symptoms Fever, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches/pain, headache, lack of energy, possibly runny nose
Fever and body aches for 3-5 days
Cough and lack of energy - 2 weeks
Symptoms similar to other upper respiratory diseases such as adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, legionellosis, etc.
What is an Influenza Pandemic ? : What is an Influenza Pandemic ?
A global influenza outbreak
Caused by a brand new (novel) flu virus
Most severe occur with changes in both surface proteins
Viruses can be isolated at any time of year
Because it is a new virus, few or no people would be immune
Many people would get sick in every part of the world
Asia is the source of many outbreaks because swine, birds and humans live under the same roof, providing opportunity for viral mixing
Influenza Pandemics 20th Century : Influenza Pandemics 20th Century A(H1N1) A(H2N2) A(H3N2) 1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu” 1968: “Hong Kong Flu” 20-40 million deaths
675,000 US deaths 1-4 million deaths
70,000 US deaths 1-4 million deaths
34,000 US deaths
If a Pandemic Happens: What to expect… : If a Pandemic Happens: What to expect… At the peak of a moderate pandemic influenza outbreak (i.e. 35% attack rate, 6 week duration), New York State (excluding New York City) can expect *:
14,916 influenza-related hospital admissions per week
3,728 influenza-related deaths per week
2,609 deaths in the hospital
Influenza patients will most likely utilize:
63% of hospital bed capacity
125% of intensive care capacity
65% of hospital ventilator capacity.
* Source: NYSDOH
Who Needs to be Prepared? : Who Needs to be Prepared? Being prepared for pandemic flu and other
emergencies is everyone's business
including:
Federal, State and Local governments
Businesses
Community agencies
Individuals and families
What Can You DO? Your Health is in Your Hands.. : What Can You DO? Your Health is in Your Hands.. Stay Healthy
Be Prepared
Get informed
Slide11 :
STAY HEALTHY
Your Health is in Your Hands.. : Your Health is in Your Hands.. Vaccination and antivirals will not be available or will be limited at the start of a pandemic
We must prepare for that by preventing the spread of pandemic flu through basic health strategies
Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control : Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene are effective strategies to stop the spread of germs. We should make good hygiene a habit now.
Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control : Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control
Stay at least three feet from people who are
coughing or sneezing.
Do not share eating utensils, drinking
glasses, towels, pens, cell phones or
other personal items
Stay at home when you are sick. Keep your
children home from school or daycare when
they are sick
Stay Healthy - Hand Hygiene : Stay Healthy - Hand Hygiene Wash Hands Frequently
Soap and hot water
Minimum of 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
Alcohol based hand rubs
Learn how to do it right:
http://www.uhn.ca/patient/general/handwashing.asp
VIDEO LINK
Stay Healthy – Cover Your Cough : Stay Healthy – Cover Your Cough
Many illnesses like influenza are spread by
sneezing or coughing. Start now and get into
health habits that reduce the spread of germs.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
when coughing and sneezing. Throw out
the tissue and wash your hands.
If you don’t have a tissue, don’t use your
hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into the
crook of your arm so you won’t get germs
on your hands and spread them to others.
Stay Healthy - What About Masks? : Stay Healthy - What About Masks?
Recommended for:
Health care workers with direct patient contact
Those at high risk for complications of influenza
Symptomatic persons
Contacts of ill persons
More About Masks.. : More About Masks.. Benefit of wearing masks by well persons in public settings has not been established
Persons may choose to wear a mask as part of an individual protection strategy that includes respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene, and social distancing.
If you wear a mask, keep your hands away from your face!
Clean your hands each time you touch your mask!
Health is in Your Hands… : Health is in Your Hands…
If you go to the doctor’s office or emergency department when you are sick, ask for a mask.
Keep immunizations up to date including an annual flu shot.
Stay Healthy - Work or School Infection Control Strategies : Stay Healthy - Work or School Infection Control Strategies Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene
Stay away if ill
Encourage self-reporting of illness that develops
Active screening for illness in staff/students
Family Preparedness Checklist : Family Preparedness Checklist To plan for a pandemic
Store a supply of food and water
Have non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand
Get involved in your community Start now to limit the spread of germs and prevent infection
Hand hygiene
Respiratory hygiene
Stay home if sick
Parents need to model behavior! Create your individual /family plan utilizing the HHS/CDC
guidelines at: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html
Slide22 :
BE PREPARED
Be Prepared…. : Be Prepared…. The New York State Department of Health is encouraging New Yorkers to have at least a two-week supply of essential household items on hand. This is important not just in case of pandemic flu but to be prepared for any number of emergencies that can and do occur regularly—for instance, weather emergencies and extended power outages.
Individual and Family Preparedness is Crucial! : Individual and Family Preparedness is Crucial! We might have to take care of ourselves and those around us
Would you be ready?
Be Prepared…. : Be Prepared…. Items to have on hand for an
extended stay at home:
Food and non-perishables
Items of comfort
Items for personal comfort
Cash
Pets- don’t forget your pet’s food and medicine
Phone - a standard “wired” phone Cordless phones
will not operate when the power is out.
Be Prepared…. : Be Prepared…. Medical, Health & Emergency Supplies
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment
Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash
Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Thermometer/bandages and gauze pads/adhesive tape
Anti-diarrhea medication
Vitamins
Scissors, tweezers, and safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Flashlight and batteries
Disposable gloves
Portable radio
Manual can opener
Garbage bags
Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, feminine products
Be Prepared…. : Be Prepared…. Create an Individual/Family Health Information and Emergency Health Information Sheet so vital health information is readily available.
To download and print a copy of a Health Information sheet click here: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/familyhealthinfo.html
Slide28 :
GET INFORMED
Bird Flu Frequently Asked Questions : Bird Flu Frequently Asked Questions http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/questions_and_answers_2.htm
Get Informed : Get Informed Get informed/Stay informed – on the web
Health and Human Services: http://www.pandemicflu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
Learn more about emergency preparedness:
http://www.redcross.org
On campus call Judy Chagnon, Health Center, 6633 or email jchagnon@clarkson.edu
Test Your Preparedness : Test Your Preparedness Take our quiz
Test Your Preparedness : Test Your Preparedness 1. T F Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of government agencies only
2. T F Pandemics can cause greater disasters because they affect large areas around the world.
3. T F Avian Flu (Bird Flu) has the potential to become a pandemic flu
4. T F There is nothing you can do to prepare for a disaster
5. T F It is best to cover your nose and mouth with your hand when you cough/sneeze
Test Your Preparedness : Test Your Preparedness 6. T F Washing your hands can greatly reduce your risk of illness
7. T F If you are coughing or sneezing stay at least one foot away from people
8. T F Canned fruits, vegetables and soups are items to have on the shelf in case of an extended emergency
9. T F Cordless phones are adequate in emergency situations if there is a power failure
10. T F The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good source for pandemic flu information
Test Your Preparedness : Test Your Preparedness Answers:
False
True
True
False
False
True
False
True
False
True
Test Your Preparedness : Test Your Preparedness
If you have any questions, please contact
the Student Health Center at flu@clarkson.edu.