Document 2002244

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY – IDAHO
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY
SAFETY DEPARTMENT
AND
STUDENT HEALTH CENTER
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAM
EH-013-R03
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: i
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
Table of Contents
Section
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Appendices
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Overview………………………………………………………………………
Policy………………………………………………………………………….
Requirements………………………………………………………………….
Purpose………………………………………………………………………..
Scope………………………………………………………………………….
Procedures…………………………………………………………………….
Responsibilities…………………………………………………………….....
Training……………………………………………………………………….
Monitoring…………………………………………………………………….
Appendices……………………………………………………………………
Page
1
1
1
2
2
2
6
7
7
7
Page
WHO – Ten things you need to know about Pandemic Influenza .………..
9
CDC – Clean Hands Save Lives ……..…………………………………..
10
Dr. Dickson – SIRQ (Shelter in place) …..……………………………….
11
Appendix D Title………………………………...………………………… N/A
Appendix E Title………………......……………………………………….. N/A
Appendix F Title...…………………………………………………………. N/A
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: ii
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
1.0
Page: 1
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
Overview
The objectives of the Communicable Disease Policy are to:
¾
Define communicable disease as far as this policy is concerned.
¾
Establish a uniform procedure should an outbreak of a communicable disease occur on
the BYU-I campus.
¾
Identify individual and group responsibilities in the presence of a reported communicable
disease outbreak.
¾
Recommend a system of education and information dissemination for the university
community regarding communicable diseases, prevention and care.
¾ Establish a committee to investigate specific measures to minimize the exposure of
susceptible individuals to contagious persons.
¾
Establish a protocol for shutting down the university when necessary.
¾
Establish a protocol for establishing an isolation area on campus when necessary.
Coordinate emergency care with Madison Memorial Hospital, District Seven Health Center, as
well as other medical facilities to ensure care of students, faculty and staff, when necessary.
2.0
Policy
It is the policy of the university to safeguard the welfare of students and employees while
maintaining the operations of the university in an effective and efficient manner in the event of a
confirmed communicable disease outbreak, as far as it is reasonably possible. The university
establishes operating procedures appropriate to all constituents of the university community and
informs and advises the university community on how to best deal with communicable diseases,
while complying with state and federal laws regarding both privacy and disease reporting.
3.0
Requirements
DEFINITIONS:
The following definitions pertain to this policy:
Communicable Disease – (for the purpose of this policy and procedure statement) = an infectious
disease that is spread from person-to-person through casual contact or respiratory droplet, to
include, but not restricted to those listed in the Scope above.
A communicable disease may be transmitted directly from one body to another without the aide of
other objects, e.g., kissing, droplet spray from sneezing, coughing, spitting, singing or talking. It
may be transmitted indirectly when an object transmits the organism. Objects of transmission
may be clothing, linens, utensils, food, water, milk, air, soil or insects.
Communicable Period – The communicable period is that period of time or times during which the
infectious agent may be transferred directly or indirectly from an infected person to another
person.
Infection is defined as invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissue.
Reverse Quarantine (AKA Shelter in Place) means that you stay inside your residence unless you
absolutely need to venture out. If you have to leave the residence for any reason, you will be
required to wear a mask (N95, surgical) at all times when around the general public.
Signs & Symptoms are things you look for giving an indication that something is wrong. For
example:
1. Ill with a fever of 100 oF or above
over the past 24 hours or more.
2. Experiencing any deep cough that is
productive or dry. (A dry cough can
still spread influenza.)
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 2
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
3. Unusually tired
5. Body Aches
4. Sore Throat
6. Congestion
Standard Precautions (Universal Precautions) are defined as a set of standard procedures
required to achieve a basic level of infection control. (i.e. face mask, hand washing, gloves,
tissues, etc.)
4.0
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
5.0
¾
Safeguard the welfare of students, staff and visitors.
¾
Maintain the operations of the university in an effective and efficient manner.
¾
Inform and advise the university community.
¾
Establish operating procedures appropriate to all constituents of the university
community.
Scope
Communicable diseases may be a potential health problem for the university community. As with
any community, students studying and functioning in close proximity to one another are
susceptible to communicable diseases. This Policy is implemented for communicable diseases
commonly found in the college population and which can be transmitted by air, object, or through
casual contact. Examples of these communicable diseases are:
Rubella - 3-day measles
Rubeola - 9-day measles
Varicella – Chicken Pox
Influenza
Hepatitis A
Meningitis - viral and bacterial
Tuberculosis (TB)
Mononucleosis
The scope of this policy shall also apply to other communicable diseases that pose risks similar to
the diseases not listed above and which could put the university community at risk.
Excluded from this policy are communicable diseases that fall under the designation of a
Bloodborne pathogen. These issues are addressed in the University Bloodborne Pathogen policy
and program.
6.0
Procedures
6.1
Procedures to be followed in the event of a Pandemic
6.1.1
When a pandemic is noted anywhere in the world, the Health Center Medical Director
shall track it’s progress keeping the President’s Council, Dean of Students, Safety
Office, and others as deemed necessary informed and up to date on the situation.
6.1.2
When a documented case of the pandemic is found on the North American continent
a committee will be called together, under the direction of the Medical Director, to
determine the best course of action for the University and the students. These
recommendations will be given to the Presidents Council for review, comment and
further directions. These meetings will have precedence and will be conducted in a
quick and timely manner.
6.1.3
When decisions have been made concerning further actions, these decisions will be
presented to the faculty and staff to help them understand their roles. From here it
well be released to the student body and the public through the University Relations
and Dean of Students offices.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
6.2
Page: 3
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
Procedures for treating currently enrolled students with communicable diseases
confirmed at an alarming rate and/or high morbidity:
6.2.1
When the Student Health Center is notified that a student may have a communicable
disease the source will be established and the Dean of Students notified of the
situation. Further actions will be coordinated with the Dean of Students.
6.2.2
Student Health Center staff shall examine students suspected of having a
communicable disease and determine appropriate medical care based upon
confirmed diagnosis. They will also acquire a list of possible persons infected by this
individual. Those who may have been infected will be examined for possible signs of
the disease and receive treatment if necessary, as outlined herein.
6.2.3
If a student has been diagnosed as having a communicable disease by the Student
Health Center staff or other medical agency, the diagnosing physician shall
determine if the student should return home, be housed on campus or be transferred
to the hospital (if room is available).
6.2.3.a If the student is unable to go home or there is not room at the hospital, the
Student Health Center will work with the Director of Housing (or his/her
designee) to make provisions to isolate the student on campus, if
necessary. While arrangements are being made about location of isolation,
the student shall remain in observation at the Student Health Center.
Personal protective equipment will be issued to the student and roommates,
along with instructions for use, to help limit contamination to others.
6.2.3.b The options or returning the student home or keeping the student in
isolation on campus, are intended to prevent the spread of the
communicable disease. The preferred practice shall be to return the
student to his/her home of record, if at all possible. If the student resides off
campus, arrangements should be attempted to get the student transported
to his/her home of record for continued care and convalescence.
6.2.3.c
If a student resides off campus and is unable to return to their home of
record, yet must remain isolated, the Student Health Center and the
University Safety Office will attempt to assist the student with sheltering in
place, as is possible.
6.2.3.d The university will not assume any financial responsibility for housing in offcampus locations.
6.2.4
In the event that a student, or students, with a communicable disease must remain in
isolation on campus, the Student Health Center Medical Director, or his/her designee,
shall, in consultation with the Vice President for Student Services & Activities,
determine the extent of the involvement of the other major university offices in the
management of the communicable disease. This decision will be based upon the
Director and Vice President’s evaluations of the risk to the university community.
The university departments that may be included in the decision are: Housing Office,
Physical Facilities, Custodial, University Safety, University Relations, Food Services,
and Personnel. The directors of each of these offices shall be contacted. Together
they shall implement plans to care for the infected student(s) and to maintain a safe
and orderly campus environment.
6.2.4.a The Director of University Housing shall announce the location in which the
student is convalescing to all appropriate parties within the Housing Office,
as is necessary. The Housing Office shall advise its staff of procedures to
be used in communication with the infected student and in serving the
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 4
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
residential needs of the infected student with the assistance of the Student
Health Center.
6.2.4.b The Manager of Food Services shall be responsible for coordinating any
outside food for the infected student during the convalescent period in
isolation on university property.
6.2.4.c
The Building and Grounds Manager shall arrange for routine and special
custodial services for the area in which the student is convalescing, if
necessary. He/she shall be responsible for informing all custodial staff who
are assigned to the isolation area of the diagnosis and mode of transmission
of the disease. The Building and Grounds Manager, with the assistance of
Student Health Center and/or the Safety Department, shall train the
custodial staff on the recommended methods of self-protection that should
be used in carrying out routine and special custodial services.
6.2.4.d The University Operations Managing Director shall, with the assistance of
the Student Health Center and/or the Safety Department, inform
maintenance and trades persons who are assigned, or may be assigned, to
the area in which the infected person is convalescing, and of the
recommended methods of self-protection should maintenance and trades
persons need to come in close proximity with the infected person(s).
6.2.4.e The Director of University Security/Police shall, with the assistance of the
Student Health Center and/or the Safety Department, inform the police
officers that a person with a communicable disease is convalescing on
campus. The director shall provide the police officers with information about
the disease, the location where the student is convalescing, and the
recommended methods of self-protection should the campus police need to
come in close proximity of the infected person(s).
6.2.4.f
The Vice President of Academics shall be responsible for notifying the
necessary academic faculty and staff of the incident.
6.2.4.g The University Relations Office shall prepare appropriate news releases and
coordinate University Relations inquiries. All public and press inquiries are
to be referred to this office.
6.2.4.h The Human Resources Office shall be responsible for mediating any laborrelations issues that may arise as a result of the university’s caring for a
person with a communicable disease. In all cases, the Presidents Council
shall inform the Director of Human Resources of their decision relative to
6.2.4 above.
6.2.4.i
6.2.5
The Safety Office shall assist the Health Center in any part of the
emergency as requested. They will provide training to assisting personnel
as to personal protection.
Before a student is discharged from isolation and before returning to classes at the
university, he/she must be examined by a Student Health Center staff physician.
When an examination is performed by another health care provider, it must be
verified by the Student Health Center before the student may return back to campus
activity.
When a student convalesces at home, he/she shall visit the Student Health Center
and provide a statement of non-communicability from his/her family physician, or the
staff physician, before returning to campus activity.
Students being isolated on campus or in the local community shall be informed about
the procedures for returning to campus activities and/or requesting assistance with
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 5
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
campus needs by a representative of the Medical Director at the time of their
isolation.
A physician shall certify that the student is no longer infectious to others and that
he/she presents no risk to the university community. The Student Health Center
Director shall notify appropriate parties that the student has been released from care
and may return to full campus activity.
6.3
Procedures in the event the University is forced to close and/or send students home:
6.3.1
If it is necessary to close the university due to emergency situation, such as a major
epidemic or pandemic in the school, the Presidents Council will do so under the full
knowledge and approval of the Board of Trustees.
6.3.2
There may be situations where it will be necessary to send students home due to
sickness or other emergency. The university may or may not be closed at that time.
6.3.3
Under both situations mentioned above, the following procedures will be followed:
6.3.3.a All faculty and staff that are available will be utilized to contact the students and
their families to arrange for their return home. The situation will be explained to
them at that time.
6.3.3.b In some cases, personal protective equipment will be given them to assist in a
safe journey (i.e. N95 mask) along with instructions for proper use.
6.4
Procedures for managing university employees with communicable diseases:
6.4.1
It is the responsibility of an employee who has a confirmed communicable disease to
report that information to their immediate supervisor for the health and safety of the
university community. The employee is expected to remain off work until the risk of
infecting others has ended and until he/she can return to full duties.
6.4.2
Any employee who has a communicable disease, and reports off sick as a result of
the disease shall be required to present a doctor’s certificate to his/her supervisor
before being permitted to return to work. The doctor’s certificate must certify that the
employee poses no risk to the university community as a result of the communicable
disease.
6.4.2.a The employee’s supervisor shall report the incident to the Office of Human
Resources.
6.4.2.b The office of Human Resources shall inform the Director of the Student Health
Center.
6.4.2.c The Director, in consultation with the Vice President for Student Services &
Activities shall determine the extent of the involvement of other major university
offices in the management of the communicable disease.
6.4.2.d This decision will be based upon the Director and Vice President’s evaluation of
the risk to the university community.
6.4.2.e Major university offices may include the same as listed above.
6.4.2.f The directors of these offices shall implement plans to maintain a safe and
orderly campus environment.
6.5
Procedures for managing an epidemic among participants in university programs, camps
or conferences:
6.5.1
Responsible adults working with participants enrolled in child day care, preschool
programs or in university sponsored camps or conferences shall contact the Director
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 6
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
of the Student Health Center when the occurrence of a communicable disease has
been confirmed
6.6
6.5.2
The Director of the Student Health Center shall consult with the Vice President of
Student Services & Activities to determine the extent of the involvement of other
major university offices in the management of the communicable disease. This
decision will be based upon the Director and Vice President’s evaluation of the risk to
the university community.
6.5.3
Prior to returning to the program, the participant shall be required to present a
doctor’s certificate to the program supervisor, certifying that they are no longer
contagious to others and present no risk to the university community. The decision to
terminate the program will be made by the program director in consultation with the
Student Health Center Director and the appropriate division Vice President.
Procedures for establishing employee awareness about the campus communicable
disease policy:
6.6.1
The Health Center and the Safety Office shall oversee employee awareness
regarding the campus communicable disease policy. Awareness shall include but
not be limited to:
6.6.1.a Formal training which provides an overview of the Communicable Disease
Policy, complete with a Q & A session.
6.6.1.b Information regarding the location of the written policy and contact information
regarding questions related to the policy will be available.
6.6.1.c Posters on protecting yourself against contamination will be posted across
campus in strategic locations.
6.6.1.d Updates via the university communications – e-mail system.
6.6.2
6.7
Information regarding the campus communicable disease policy will be provided on
the Safety web site and annually for all other employees via the university’s web
page and electronic mail communication systems.
Procedures for establishing student awareness regarding the communicable disease
policy:
6.7.1
The Health Center and the Safety Office shall oversee general university awareness
regarding the campus communicable disease policy. Awareness shall include, but
not limited to:
6.7.1.a The written campus policy will be available daily via the university safety web
page.
6.7.1.b Initial and any follow-up training/instruction will be provided via the University
Stakes and Wards. Those not attending University Stakes will receive their
training through the Safety Office at designated times and locations.
6.7.1.c The location of the policy on the university web site will be included in the student
handbook.
6.7.2
The Student Employment Center will oversee student employee awareness
regarding the campus communicable disease policy. Awareness shall include, but
not be limited to:
6.7.2.a Overview of the Communicable Disease Policy during orientation of the new
student employee.
6.7.2.b Information regarding the location of the written policy and contact information
regarding questions related to the policy will be available.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
7.0
Page: 7
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
Responsibilities
7.1
The responsibility for coordination of the implementation of the Communicable Disease
policy may include any or all of the following groups, under the direction of the Student
Health Center Medical Director:
Presidents Council
University Safety Office
Student Health Center
University Security/Police Department
Personnel Services
University Relations Office
University Housing Office
BYU-Idaho Stakes and Wards
University Food Services
Others as needed
Physical Facilities – (Manager of
Buildings / Ground Services)
7.2
It is the responsibility of certified and licensed health officials, external to the university, to
provide a confirmed diagnosis to the Student Health Center Medical Director when a
university student or employee is known to have a confirmed diagnosis of a
communicable disease.
7.3
The Student Health Center Director shall notify the Vice President for Student Services &
Activities, who shall in turn notify the President and the Presidents Council when a
communicable disease threatens the university community. The Student Health Center
Medical Director will be responsible for reporting the specifics of the confirmed
communicable disease(s) to the appropriate public health agencies when required.
7.4
When deemed appropriate by the Presidents Council, it will be the responsibility of the
Office of University Relations to announce that an epidemic/pandemic of a communicable
disease has been confirmed, and to state the related facts that serve to inform and
protect the university community.
7.5
The University Safety Office Director will maintain the policy, updating as necessary to
reflect current medical, scientific, and legal evidence; disseminate the policy to all
responsible parties; participate in an expert panel as assigned by the Presidents Council;
work with the Medical Director to provide appropriate training of the procedures regarding
this policy; and, assist the Student Health Center in other areas as requested.
7.6
The Food Services Director will be responsible to coordinate food supply resources
sufficient to sustain the university community for at least 9 days. This should provide
sufficient time for other agencies to provide the university with food stuffs in the event of a
disruption of normal deliveries due to a pandemic or like emergency.
All responsible parties will maintain the confidentiality of the infected individual(s) to the greatest
extent possible.
8.0
Training
Training will be conducted within the various areas defined within the body of this document.
Additional instructions will be provided on an as needed basis, determined by the Presidents
Council in conjunction with the Student Health Center Medical Director, and others as
requested.
9.0
Monitoring
The policy will be monitored and update annually by the Safety Office and the Student Health
Center. Revised copies will be posed as appropriate.
10.0
Appendices
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 8
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
APPENDIX A
Ten things you need to know about pandemic influenza
14 October 2005
1. Pandemic influenza is different from avian influenza.
Avian influenza refers to a large group of different influenza viruses that primarily affect birds. On rare
occasions, these bird viruses can infect other species, including pigs and humans. The vast majority of
avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. An influenza pandemic happens when a new subtype emerges
that has not previously circulated in humans.
For this reason, avian H5N1 is a strain with pandemic potential, since it might ultimately adapt into a strain
that is contagious among humans. Once this adaptation occurs, it will no longer be a bird virus--it will be a
human influenza virus. Influenza pandemics are caused by new influenza viruses that have adapted to
humans.
2. Influenza pandemics are recurring events.
An influenza pandemic is a rare but recurrent event. Three pandemics occurred in the previous century:
“Spanish influenza” in 1918, “Asian influenza” in 1957, and “Hong Kong influenza” in 1968. The 1918
pandemic killed an estimated 40–50 million people worldwide. That pandemic, which was exceptional, is
considered one of the deadliest disease events in human history. Subsequent pandemics were much milder,
with an estimated 2 million deaths in 1957 and 1 million deaths in 1968.
A pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges and starts spreading as easily as normal influenza
– by coughing and sneezing. Because the virus is new, the human immune system will have no pre-existing
immunity. This makes it likely that people who contract pandemic influenza will experience more serious
disease than that caused by normal influenza.
3. The world may be on the brink of another pandemic.
Health experts have been monitoring a new and extremely severe influenza virus – the H5N1 strain – for
almost eight years. The H5N1 strain first infected humans in Hong Kong in 1997, causing 18 cases,
including six deaths. Since mid-2003, this virus has caused the largest and most severe outbreaks in poultry
on record. In December 2003, infections in people exposed to sick birds were identified.
Since then, over 100 human cases have been laboratory confirmed in four Asian countries (Cambodia,
Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam), and more than half of these people have died. Most cases have
occurred in previously healthy children and young adults.
Fortunately, the virus does not jump easily from birds to humans or spread readily and sustainably among
humans. Should H5N1 evolve to a form as contagious as normal influenza, a pandemic could begin.
4. All countries will be affected.
Once a fully contagious virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable. Countries might, through
measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it. The
pandemics of the previous century encircled the globe in 6 to 9 months, even when most international travel
was by ship. Given the speed and volume of international air travel today, the virus could spread more
rapidly, possibly reaching all continents in less than 3 months.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 9
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
5. Widespread illness will occur.
Because most people will have no immunity to the pandemic virus, infection and illness rates are expected
to be higher than during seasonal epidemics of normal influenza. Current projections for the next pandemic
estimate that a substantial percentage of the world’s population will require some form of medical care.
Few countries have the staff, facilities, equipment, and hospital beds needed to cope with large numbers of
people who suddenly fall ill.
6. Medical supplies will be inadequate.
Supplies of vaccines and antiviral drugs – the two most important medical interventions for reducing illness
and deaths during a pandemic – will be inadequate in all countries at the start of a pandemic and for many
months thereafter. Inadequate supplies of vaccines are of particular concern, as vaccines are considered the
first line of defense for protecting populations. On present trends, many developing countries will have no
access to vaccines throughout the duration of a pandemic.
7. Large numbers of deaths will occur.
Historically, the number of deaths during a pandemic has varied greatly. Death rates are largely determined
by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying
characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations, and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
Accurate predictions of mortality cannot be made before the pandemic virus emerges and begins to spread.
All estimates of the number of deaths are purely speculative.
WHO has used a relatively conservative estimate – from 2 million to 7.4 million deaths – because it
provides a useful and plausible planning target. This estimate is based on the comparatively mild 1957
pandemic. Estimates based on a more virulent virus, closer to the one seen in 1918, have been made and are
much higher. However, the 1918 pandemic was considered exceptional.
8. Economic and social disruption will be great.
High rates of illness and worker absenteeism are expected, and these will contribute to social and economic
disruption. Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves. Not all parts of the
world or of a single country are expected to be severely affected at the same time. Social and economic
disruptions could be temporary, but may be amplified in today’s closely interrelated and interdependent
systems of trade and commerce. Social disruption may be greatest when rates of absenteeism impair
essential services, such as power, transportation, and communications.
9. Every country must be prepared.
WHO has issued a series of recommended strategic actions [pdf 113kb] for responding to the influenza
pandemic threat. The actions are designed to provide different layers of defence that reflect the complexity
of the evolving situation. Recommended actions are different for the present phase of pandemic alert, the
emergence of a pandemic virus, and the declaration of a pandemic and its subsequent international spread.
10. WHO will alert the world when the pandemic threat increases.
WHO works closely with ministries of health and various public health organizations to support countries'
surveillance of circulating influenza strains. A sensitive surveillance system that can detect emerging
influenza strains is essential for the rapid detection of a pandemic virus.
Six distinct phases have been defined to facilitate pandemic preparedness planning, with roles defined for
governments, industry, and WHO. The present situation is categorized as phase 3: a virus new to humans is
causing infections, but does not spread easily from one person to another.
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Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 10
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
APPENDIX B
Clean Hands Save Lives: Emergency Situations
After an emergency, finding running water can be difficult. However, keeping your hands
clean helps you avoid getting sick. It is best to wash your hands with soap and water for 20
seconds. However, when water is not available, you can use alcohol-based hand products
made for washing hands (sanitizers).
When should you wash your hands?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After handling uncooked foods, particularly raw meat, poultry, or fish
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
When your hands are visibly dirty, you should wash them with soap and water when
available. However, if soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Apply product to the palm of one hand.
• Rub hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
Note: the volume needed to reduce the number of germs on hands varies by product.
Washing with soap and water
1. Place your hands together under water (warm water if possible).
2. Rub your hands together for at least 15-20 seconds (with soap if possible). Wash
all surfaces well, including wrists, palms, backs of hands, fingers, and under the
fingernails.
3. Clean the dirt from under your fingernails.
4. Rinse the soap from your hands.
5. Dry your hands completely with a clean towel if possible (this helps remove the
germs). However, if towels are not available it is okay to air dry your hands.
6. Pat your skin rather than rubbing to avoid chapping and cracking.
7. If you use a disposable towel, throw it in the trash.
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters, or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English
and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 11
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
APPENDIX C
A Brief Overview of the Self-Imposed Reverse Quarantine (SIRQ) Plan
By Dr. Dane Dickson, MD – Chair, Infection Control Committee, Madison Memorial Hospital, Rexburg,
Idaho
Note: This is an overview of the plan. It is not meant to comprehensive, but gives general outlines to the
plan.
1) Protecting the Family – Building a Safe Haven
a. Protecting the family from the influenza virus is central to the plan.
b. This requires that families sequester themselves from the outside world in order to avoid
infection.
i. Children should not go to school or play with friends.
ii. Parents should work from home as much as possible.
iii. The family should not attend public events (sporting events, cultural events,
religious services, etc.).
iv. If family members do have to leave sequestration, they must be educated and
committed to maintaining protection.
c.
Parents
i. Must establish their home as a protected cell.
ii. Must understand that as long as their family is sequestered they are safe, but
safety is only good AS LONG AS EVERY FAMILY MEMBER REMAINS SAFE
AND DOES NOT BRING THE INFECTION HOME.
iii. Must understand the importance of not allowing children to interact with others
outside the family during the time the plan is in place.
iv. Must know how to remain safe when they leave the home:
1. Protective equipment,
2. Protective methods of interacting in an infectious environment.
v. Must have their homes prepared for a disruption in services.
d. Children
i. Are at high risk for transmission of disease because of less than ideal hygiene,
close contact with others in closed environments, inadequate hand washing, etc.
ii. Need to be sequestered in family groups.
iii. Need to be isolated from others who are potentially infected.
iv. Need to be trained in methods of protecting themselves from infection at their
level.
2) Protecting the Individual
a. During an influenza pandemic, any individual that has to interact with the outside world
must consider all they come in contact with as being infected.
b. Individuals must know how to interact in such an environment:
i. Need education and training about how to protect themselves.
ii. Need protective equipment to allow them to interact.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Compliance Area: Environmental Health & Safety
Department Title: Safety Department & Student Health Center
Program Title: Communicable Disease Program
Program Number: EH-013
Page: 12
Revision: 03
Date Issued: December, 2007
3) Protecting the Community
a. Community leadership must support the SIRQ plan and strongly encourage its
implementation:
i. Educating leaders, families and individuals about the plan.
ii. Implementation of reverse quarantine protection early (BEFORE THE
INFECTION HITS THE COMMUNITY).
iii. Cancellation of schools, meetings, public venues, etc. (BEFORE THE
INFECTION STARTS)
iv. Identify key services and individuals essential to these services:
1. Provide or strongly encourage personal protection use in all essential
sectors early.
2. Plan on contingencies.
b. Must provide venues for education of individuals and families.
c.
Should facilitate obtaining protective equipment for individuals or groups.
d. Must lead by example.
This plan can be implemented without government or community support. A family or individual could
use this plan and protect themselves as long as they are willing to keep themselves separate.