Overview: The CDC estimates 5%-20% of the population gets the flu annually and 200,000 people are hospitalized for seasonal flu-related complications. Within the healthcare setting, Hospital Aquired Infections (HAI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. At any given time, about 1 in every 25 inpatients has an infection related to hospital care. These infections cost the U.S. health care system billions of dollars each year and lead to the loss of tens of thousands of lives. Every year, businesses spend approximately $10.4 billion on flu-related illnesses in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits. Loss work days and loss of productivity is enormous. When the Norwalk virus runs through a cruise ship, not only are existing passengers and crew impacted, but public confidence in future travel with the cruise line can be impacted.
This consulting service has two deliverables. The first is to develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for disrupting disease transmission that may be implemented at the organizational level in a targeted location (e.g operating suite, cruise ship cabin, ambulance, airport or bus line). Objectives will be defined along with strategies and tactics designed to achieve the desired objectives. The IAP will define the processes to be followed including cleaning, sanitizing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including proper selection, donning and doffing to eliminate cross contamination. Besides a clear process to be followed, the IAP will identify products to be utilized to ensure they are appropriate for the targeted organism(s) and used correctly.
The IAP will be developed after a review of existing plans, polices and procedures as well as employee absenteeism trends and data on endemic illness if available. Onsite observations of existing activities to determine compliance with existing protocols and procedures and capture opportunities for enhancement will be undertaken. The IAP will help ensure coordination among various departments, units and services within the organization to ensure institutional participation and compliance.
The second deliverable in onsite training, skills practice, validation and documentation of the ability to implement the IAP designed to reduce disease transmission between clients, guests, visitors and personnel.
Duration: This offering includes offsite document review and drafting of the IAP plus a six hour onsite course deliver to validate the IAP.
Target audience: Private business, hospitality organizations., mass transit agencies, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Governmental Administrative, Hazardous Materials, Healthcare, Law Enforcement, Public Health, Public Safety, Public Works, Housekeeping and Janitorial Services.
For more details about this consulting service or scheduling opportunities, please email abetteremergency@gmail.com.