Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

Section 3: Healthcare Planning and Emergency Response
H. Primary Care Providers (e.g., Physician Offices, Health Centers, Urgent Care
Centers)
Interpandemic and Pandemic Alert Periods
Primary Care Providers:
• Obtain and keep current an account on the Health Provider Network
(HPN); complete information in Communications Directory and keep
current.
• Maintain normal triage/treatment capability and infection control
practices.
• Participate in planning with local hospitals and LHDs regarding
“surge” triage, referral for outpatient care and assistance with public
hotlines to advise on if and where to seek care.
• Develop a plan and confirm ability to enhance triage/treatment
capacity as needed by use of alternate areas of existing facilities and
use of volunteer staff.
• Develop strategies for triage and treatment that minimize the risk of
transmission to staff, patients and visitors (see Section 4: Infection
Control).
• Reinforce the use of respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette as the first
line of defense for the prevention of transmission of respiratory
infections (see Section 4: Infection Control).
• Monitor for indications that enhanced triage/outpatient treatment is
needed, including reports from sentinel physician or walk-in clinics
that they cannot accommodate all of the patients requesting
appointments for influenza-like illness. The triage process will evolve
with the changing epidemic conditions.
• Maintain interface with LHD and NYSDOH and regularly consult
HPN for indications that influenza activity is increasing.
• If admitting a patient directly to the hospital, respiratory
hygiene/cough etiquette should be followed, including giving the
patient a surgical mask to wear.
• Recruit and train volunteers in coordination with LHDs, OEM,
hospitals and other health care facilities/agencies.
Local Health Departments:
• Work with primary care providers on securing volunteers to be used to
expand the capacity of traditional triage.
• Monitor for indications that enhanced triage capacity may be needed,
including reports from sentinel physician or walk-in clinics that they
cannot accommodate all of the patients requesting appointments for
influenza-like illness.
• Maintain interface with hospitals and other primary care providers
February 7, 2006 3-39