PANDEMIC FLU PREPARATION

Needed preparation is lagging

An influenza pandemic is unlike other catastrophes such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster because it is widespread and affects multiple areas of the US and other countries at the same time. A pandemic is also an extended event, with multiple waves of outbreaks.

Pandemics have broad implications for day-to-day business: workplaces are likely to experience absenteeism, changes in patterns of commerce and interrupted supply/delivery of goods.[24] However, according to a poll of business officials, only 18% of businesses and organizations have pandemic flu preparedness plans.[25]

An example of lack of preparation is the financial industry, according to a report from the General Accounting Office. A review of seven major financial exchanges, markets, clearinghouse organizations and payment processors showed that only one had a completed plan.[26]

Which organizations should plan for a pandemic?

All businesses and organizations should plan for a pandemic now. However, the US government has identified critical industries and resources that are especially important. They include: [24]

• Nuclear power plants
• Dams
• Food and agriculture
• Public health and healthcare
• Banking and finance
• Chemical and hazardous materials
• Defense industry
• Water
• Energy
• Emergency services
• Information technology
• Telecommunications
• Postal and shipping
• Transportation

Start with a plan for the impact on business

For large organizations, the starting place for pandemic flu planning is in-house at your company, including the appointment of a pandemic coordinator. For all organizations, ask the question: how would a pandemic influence our business?

Examples of related internal-review activities include: [27]

• Identify essential employees and other critical inputs (e.g. raw materials, suppliers, sub-contractor services/products, and logistics) required to maintain business operations by location and function during a pandemic
   
• Develop and plan for scenarios likely to result in an increase or decrease in demand for your products and/or services during a pandemic
   
• Determine potential impact of a pandemic on business-related domestic and international travel (e.g. quarantines, border closures)
   
• Find up-to-date, reliable pandemic information from community public health, emergency management, and other sources and make sustainable links.

Plan for impact on employees and customers

The impact of a pandemic on employees and customers must be considered. Forecast and allow for not just sick days but for factors such as community containment measures, school closures, and public transportation closures. Other related activities include:

• Implement guidelines to modify the frequency and type of face-to-face contact (e.g., hand-shaking, seating in meetings, office layout, shared workstations) among employees and between employees and customers
   
• Encourage and track annual influenza vaccination for employees
   
• Evaluate employee access to and availability of healthcare services during a pandemic
   
• Evaluate employee access to and availability of mental health and social services
   
• Identify employees and key customers with special needs

Establish policies, allocate resources, and create communications

Policies may need to be in place for employee compensation and sick-time as well as the possibility of telecommuting and flexible work hours.  Communications technologies may be needed to allow for telecommuting. Platforms such as hotlines and websites for communicating company status (hours of operation, availability of goods, etc.) during a pandemic may be needed.[27]

Use a checklist

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created an extensive Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist that includes the above-listed planning elements. Use it or a company-generated checklist to ensure that progress is being made toward pandemic preparedness.

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA