Transcript H1N1 Overview & Business Basics

Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
H1N1 Influenza: Overview and
Business Basics
Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
Presentation Title:
• H1N1 Influenza: Overview and
Business Basics
Summary:
Each year, seasonal flu costs the US economy over $10 billion in
lost productivity and direct medical expenses. This year, it’s possible
that H1N1 pandemic flu could have even greater impacts than
seasonal flu. The number of ill employees could be disruptive to
businesses. Preparing for H1N1 flu impacts can help minimize
disruptions, maintain the health of employees, and provide greater
continuity of operations.
Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
Introduction:
• This presentation will provide an overview
of H1N1, a novel influenza virus that is
causing illness around the world.
• Participants will learn how to protect
employee health, minimize disruptions and
keep businesses going through a
pandemic.
Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
Presentation Contents:
• H1N1: What are we dealing with
– What it is; why it’s different
• What employees should do
• What employers should do
• Where to go for help
What is H1N1 flu?
• A new, or novel flu for which humans have little
or no natural immunity
• H1N1 has been declared a pandemic by the
World Health Organization
• A pandemic flu is a global outbreak of a novel flu
virus for which there is little immunity
• It has the potential to infect many people. For
businesses, absenteeism is the key impact.
What do we know
about H1N1?
• Most people recover from H1N1 without
medical care or hospitalization
• Levels of severe illness from H1N1 appear
to be similar to seasonal flu
• H1N1 has affected different age groups
than seasonal flu
– It more often affects younger adults and
children
How prevalent is H1N1 flu?
• It is widespread in the California, the US,
and across the world
• Providers do not test for H1N1 except in
hospitalized or deceased cases
• We know that most people with the flu
now, have the H1N1 virus
• H1N1 is expected to increase in the fall
Who is most at risk
for a severe case of H1N1?
• Pregnant women
• Children 0 – 5 years of age
• Individuals of all ages with chronic medical
conditions
– Pulmonary asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD
– Immune compromised
– Medically fragile
What can employees do?
PREVENTION
H1N1 Flu
How to prevent the
spread of the flu
• Stay home when you are ill
• Personal care
– Wash your hands frequently; use alcohol-based hand
sanitizer
– Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
– Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
• Avoid contact with others who are ill
• See your health care provider to get
vaccinated against the flu (both seasonal
and H1N1 flu)
When can we obtain
H1N1 vaccinations?
• H1N1 vaccine - available later this fall
• Likely available phases - highest risk for
severe illness will be first
• H1N1 vaccine will be available through
primary care providers and community
clinics
• CDC does not expect a shortage of H1N1
vaccine
How will the vaccine
be targeted ?
• CDC has identified priority groups to
receive H1N1 vaccine
–
–
–
–
–
Pregnant women
Health care & other workers w/ direct patient contact
Those living w/ or caring for infants < 6 months of age
Children from 6 mos to 4 years
Children age 5-18 w/ chronic conditions
• Once these groups are vaccinated,
expand to:
– All health care and emergency workers
– All children age 5-25
– People age 25-64 w/ chronic conditions
What can employers do?
• Communicate about H1N1 – share basics
at staff meetings and on your website
• Encourage employees to stay home when
sick (at least 24 hours after no fever w/o
fever-reducing medications)
• Encourage vaccinations when available for
those in targeted groups
• Reinforce hand hygiene and respiratory
etiquette
What can employers do (con’t)?
• Provide adequate infection control
supplies
– Tissues, alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
cleaning supplies, etc.
• Keep up routine cleaning
• Have take-home materials to reassure
families
• Inform employees how to communicate
during a pandemic
When should someone with flu
be excluded from work?
• When the person has a fever of 101.5
degrees and one of the following:
– Cough
– Sore throat
– Headache
– Muscle ache
– Upset stomach
When can a person
return to work?
• 24 hours after a fever is gone w/o use of
fever reducing medications
• When the person is well enough to
participate
• A note from a physician is not required
Planning for the impact
on your organization
• Identify essential employees and critical
jobs.
– Who needs to work from the office vs.
telecommute, work from home, or other
arrangement
• What does that take?
• Establish a plan to communicate with
employees re: changes in the work
environment
Planning for the impact on
employees and customers
• Anticipate employee absences and
consider sick leave policies unique to
pandemic
• Implement infection control steps to
prevent the spread of flu
• Establish policies for flexible worksite and
flexible work hours
Planning for continued
customer service
• Customers may also be ill or caring for ill
family members
• Customers may be working from home
• Customers may have different product or
time needs
Resources
• H1N1 website:
www.sbcfluinfo.org
(English & Spanish)
• H1N1 Brochure
(English &Spanish)
• Business
Preparedness
Brochure
Additional Resources
• Call the H1N1 information line at
1-888-722-6358 (1-888-SBCoFlu)
– Nurse information line available MondayFriday business hours
– Great resource for your employees to get
guidance if they or their loved ones are ill
– Also nurse info lines are often offered by
health insurance companies
Santa Barbara Human Resources Association
Questions/Comments
Thank you.
Michele Mickiewicz
Interim Director
Public Health Department
805/681-5446
[email protected]