A collaborative system-wide response to influenza outbreak management in Saskatoon Health Region.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the benefits of a regional, collaborative, system-wide approach to influenza outbreak management.

PARTICIPANTS:

Senior management representatives from affected parts of the Regional Health Authority.

SETTING:

Saskatoon Health Region.

INTERVENTION:

Public Health proactively engaged a broad-based, multidisciplinary planning/management group to minimize the effect of the influenza outbreak, and institute best practice in prevention and outbreak management system-wide for the future.

OUTCOMES:

Earlier recognition and faster resolution of influenza outbreaks, fewer outbreaks, reduced pressure on acute care, greater compliance with amantadine prophylaxis, and improved immunization rates in seniors and health care workers.

CONCLUSION:

While many of these interventions and best practices have been recommended by individual sectors, when Public Health takes a system-wide approach facilitated by regionalization, it results in optimized planning, co-ordination, evaluation and successful outcomes.

• Authors: Cordell Neudorf, Aderonke Obayan, Cathy Anderson, Janice Chomyn
• Journal: Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique (Can J Public Health) 2003 Sep-Oct Vol. 94 Issue 5 Pg. 338-40 ISSN: 0008-4263 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 14577739 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Amantadine

Topics

• Amantadine (therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Disease Outbreaks (prevention & control)
• Health Education (methods)
• Humans
• Influenza, Human (drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Interprofessional Relations
• Primary Prevention (methods, organization & administration)
• Public Health Administration
• Regional Health Planning (organization & administration)
• Saskatchewan (epidemiology)