Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

Section 9: Communications
Local Health Departments: During the Interpandemic and Pandemic Alert Periods,
NYSDOH will communicate regularly with local health departments to coordinate
communications planning and enhance message consistency. This will be accomplished
primarily via interactions with the New York State Association of County Health
Officials (NYSACHO) and through use of the secure Health Commerce System.
As part of pre-event planning, LHDs should make provisions to disseminate pandemic
public information in a manner that promotes consistent messaging (e.g., making
arrangements to handle a high volume of calls from the public and healthcare providers).
Healthcare Providers: During the Interpandemic and Pandemic Alert Periods, efforts
will be made to promote use by health care providers of the secure Health Commerce
System—Health Alert Network, Health Provider Network and Health Emergency
Response Data System (HERDS)—which will be primary channels for provider
information. Other provider information will be disseminated via
• Postings on the NYSDOH public website;
• Bulk e-mail;
• “Dear Administrator” letters;
• Distribution to professional associations including the Medical Society of the
State of New York (MSSNY); New York State Nurses’ Association (NYSNA);
New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYVMS); Home Care Association
of New York State; and the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA),
among others.
NYSDOH Employees: During the interpandemic and pandemic alert periods,
Department staff will be notified of any significant information via Lotus NEWS items.
As appropriate, these will contain links to additional information resources.
B. Pandemic Period Communications:
To communicate factual information rapidly to further enhance credibility and trust in a
Pandemic Period, NYSDOH will:
• Utilize risk communication principles;
• Utilize web-based communications;
• Maximize media relations;
• Activate a call center for the general public;
• Activate a provider helpline;
February 7, 2006 9-7