Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

Section 3: Healthcare Planning and Emergency Response
• Work with primary care providers on securing volunteers to be used to
expand the capacity of traditional triage.
State Health Department:
• Work with healthcare 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.
• Provide ongoing information to healthcare facilities and LHDs via the
HPN on the progression of influenza that will inform their decisions on
triage procedures.
• Verify compliance with regulatory requirement (Article 28 facilities)
HPN accounts and communication directory information.
• Promote enrollment in NYSDOH Public Health Preparedness Volunteer
Practitioner Program.
Pandemic Period
Primary Care Providers:
• Enhance capacity for triage, treatment, waiting areas for persons with
febrile and/or respiratory illness based on pre-existing emergency
preparedness plans (e.g., expanding hours of operation).
• Request local OEM to alert and deploy volunteers as necessary
• Consult HPN at least daily and comply with LHD or NYSDOH requests
for information.
• Be prepared to provide requested information on cases related to the
outbreak to the LHD and NYSDOH
Local Health Departments:
• Update providers regularly as the influenza pandemic unfolds.
• Activate and deploy volunteers to assist in public health efforts (e.g.,
public health home care visits, isolation/quarantine visits).
• Request additional volunteer resources from local OEM to assist public
health if necessary. If not necessary, assist as needed or directed by
OEM.
• Work with NYSDOH to disseminate clear messages to providers to
encourage expanding triage capacity/hours of operation and to inform
public of triage options.
February 7, 2006 3-40