Pandemic Influenza
Response Planning on College
Campuses
Felix Sarubbi, MD
Division of Infectious Diseases
James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
• Guidance offered by US Department of Health
and Human Services
• State Health Departments
• American College Health Association
• www.pandemicflu.gov
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
• Develop PIPP consistent with national and state
guidelines. TDH plan available in July, 2006.
• Consider developing an Alert Matrix that includes
three levels of response corresponding to
pandemic flu : Anywhere outside North America
Anywhere within North America
On Campus
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Essential Components
• Emergency Response Team – upper management,
student health, local health dept, health sciences, etc
• Possible separate Workgroup – housing, human
resources, security, public relations, etc.
• High level communication with local/regional health
dept, local health care facilities
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Internal Coordination
Guided by Emergency Preparedness Plan
Defined Emergency Command Center
Clear Chain of Command
External Coordination
State Health Department
Local and regional health departments
Hospital systems
Emergency management agencies
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Communication Capabilities
Computer based, Telephone, Radio, Postings
• Internal - Emergency Response Team members,
faculty, staff, students (web site, email, posted
notices)
• External – TDH, local/regional health departments,
police, EMA’s, media organizations, parents
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Business Continuity (expect absenteeism)
Define critical operations and services
Define critical staff
Characterize distant work functions (work at home)
and distant education (web-based education)
Legal issues – liberal sick leave,etc.
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Develop Communicable Disease Control Measures
• Prepare informational postings and brochures – describe
pandemic influenza (clinical/epidemiol)
• Outline mechanisms of infection transmission and
appropriate personal hygiene methods as well as social
distancing, environmental cleaning, etc.
• Describe circumstances that would result in cancellation of
classes, closure of residence halls, school closure,etc.
• Provide information about vaccine distribution and antiviral
medications according to health dept guidelines.
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Campus Related Healthcare Needs
• Collaborate with community partners (health
dept, hospitals) to define triage strategy and
referral guidelines
• Can the TBR site provide a range of healthcare
needs for students/staff remaining on campus? If
so, identify sites and staff to provide the services,
establish broad communication lines, stockpile
equipment (masks, sanitizers, etc.) and address
possible mortuary concerns.
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Address Needs of Students Remaining on Campus
• Identify housing and residence hall options for well and ill
persons
• Consistently and accurately communicate with students
and parents by email, phone, etc.
• Provide essential services for each housing unit (food,
utilities, security)
• Monitor student census and health in each unit and specify
how student health services will be provided (SHS,
community clinics, etc.)
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Other PIPP Components
• Develop travel recommendations consistent with CDC
guidelines
• SHS can develop syndromic or case surveillance on
campus
• Identify legal authority to address extraordinary
circumstances
• Implement an exercise or drill to test the plan and
develop a recovery plan
• Consider potential role of campus staff in overall
community response
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Colleges and Universities
Summary
• PIPP guideline handout is a template –
individualize your plan to your setting and your
community
• Fully engage community partners
• Seek advice and guidance from local/regional
and state health departments