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Source: http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1277514
Hospital board discusses pandemic planning
By Jeff Helsdon
Staff Writer
Tillsonburg?s doctors are concerned what kind of protection they and their staff will be offered in the event of a flu pandemic.
The topic arose at Tuesday?s hospital board meeting, following a presentation by Mary Metcalfe, manager of health protection with Oxford County, on pandemic influenza preparedness. The county is presently working on implementing a pandemic influenza plan, as directed by the province.
Dr. Barry Roth, the chief of staff, asked how the Ontario plan addresses protection of primary care workers from the virus.
Metcalfe said physicians should have received a small box of personal protection supplies, but admitted it wouldn?t go too far.
Roth said the plan doesn?t say anything about using Tamiflu antiviral pills for flu protection, and Metcalfe answered it did not. She later explained the province has a stockpile of Tamiflu ? which can prevent and treat flu,- but it is reserved for treatment purposes in the case of an outbreak.
Dr. Howard Lamb pointed out nobody is talking about protecting the employees in doctor?s offices either.
?There are some large gaps here,? he said.
Mayor Stephen Molnar said it?s obvious the plan is not as good as it should be - yet.
?The connecting of all the pieces is what?s still outstanding,? he added.
Hospital board chairman Brad Bennett asked what happens if a pandemic strikes. He said he believes the public should have confidence that a sufficient mechanism is in place to deal with a pandemic outbreak.
Hospital board president Tom McHugh said during discussions about the hospital?s pandemic planning, staff have tried not to rehash issues they can?t resolve. He said he hopes the Ontario Medical Association is tackling the issue of physician protection with the province.
Outside of health care professional protection, the county influenza pandemic plan was released in May 2006, and is constantly being updated. One area still being worked on is what the best approach is for Oxford as far as an alternate site that could be used as a dedicated flu centre, in case of an outbreak.
?The trigger for switching to an alternative approach will be when the existing primary care system is no longer able to ensure that patients are assessed, diagnosed and treated within 12 to 24 hours of developing symptoms,? Metcalfe said. ?So, if the current system is overwhelmed, we need to move to a different model to provide that service.?
Councillor Brian Stephenson questioned whether the doctors decide if the emergency plan needs to be implemented, and asked if the plan might use an alternate setting, such as a school.
Metcalfe answered that the doctors and hospital would make the decision to implement the plan. As for where a flu centre would be located, Metcalfe said, ?Some centre away from the hospital because it will still have to deal with other emergencies.?
Hospital board discusses pandemic planning
By Jeff Helsdon
Staff Writer
Tillsonburg?s doctors are concerned what kind of protection they and their staff will be offered in the event of a flu pandemic.
The topic arose at Tuesday?s hospital board meeting, following a presentation by Mary Metcalfe, manager of health protection with Oxford County, on pandemic influenza preparedness. The county is presently working on implementing a pandemic influenza plan, as directed by the province.
Dr. Barry Roth, the chief of staff, asked how the Ontario plan addresses protection of primary care workers from the virus.
Metcalfe said physicians should have received a small box of personal protection supplies, but admitted it wouldn?t go too far.
Roth said the plan doesn?t say anything about using Tamiflu antiviral pills for flu protection, and Metcalfe answered it did not. She later explained the province has a stockpile of Tamiflu ? which can prevent and treat flu,- but it is reserved for treatment purposes in the case of an outbreak.
Dr. Howard Lamb pointed out nobody is talking about protecting the employees in doctor?s offices either.
?There are some large gaps here,? he said.
Mayor Stephen Molnar said it?s obvious the plan is not as good as it should be - yet.
?The connecting of all the pieces is what?s still outstanding,? he added.
Hospital board chairman Brad Bennett asked what happens if a pandemic strikes. He said he believes the public should have confidence that a sufficient mechanism is in place to deal with a pandemic outbreak.
Hospital board president Tom McHugh said during discussions about the hospital?s pandemic planning, staff have tried not to rehash issues they can?t resolve. He said he hopes the Ontario Medical Association is tackling the issue of physician protection with the province.
Outside of health care professional protection, the county influenza pandemic plan was released in May 2006, and is constantly being updated. One area still being worked on is what the best approach is for Oxford as far as an alternate site that could be used as a dedicated flu centre, in case of an outbreak.
?The trigger for switching to an alternative approach will be when the existing primary care system is no longer able to ensure that patients are assessed, diagnosed and treated within 12 to 24 hours of developing symptoms,? Metcalfe said. ?So, if the current system is overwhelmed, we need to move to a different model to provide that service.?
Councillor Brian Stephenson questioned whether the doctors decide if the emergency plan needs to be implemented, and asked if the plan might use an alternate setting, such as a school.
Metcalfe answered that the doctors and hospital would make the decision to implement the plan. As for where a flu centre would be located, Metcalfe said, ?Some centre away from the hospital because it will still have to deal with other emergencies.?