Download Communicable Diseases of a Pandemic Nature

SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROCEDURES
Procedural Area:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Procedure Title:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF A PANDEMIC NATURE
Procedure #:
6030.P1
1.0 Procedure:
This procedure will be reviewed by each employee during initial assignment and at least
annually thereafter.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION/PRECAUTIONS:
While pandemics are unpredictable, the Board must make plans to deter the spreading of
communicable diseases that could reach pandemic proportions. When it is known that an
employee or an individual who attends the Board’s programs has a confirmed case of a
communicable disease which could, if spread, reach pandemic proportions, the following will
be observed:

If you get sick, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If a consumer should come into Board facilities exhibiting symptoms of influenza,
he/she should be kept away from others and advised/assisted to call his/her physician.
Issued:

If you feel you need medical attention, call ahead first so health care providers can take
necessary infection control measures.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. An effective way to do this is
to cough/sneeze into your sleeve/elbow. Try to maintain an area of 3 to about 6 feet
away from others.

The use of a mask approved by the CDC should be utilized to prevent the transmission of
the virus to others.

Ensure that supplies for hand washing are available where sinks are located; provide
alcohol based hand sanitizer in other locations.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Try to avoid contact with sick people.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

All pandemic illness cases will be reported to the Executive Director by use of the
Attachment (1) form. This reporting is required due to the passing of a law in 2008 by
the General Assembly (Section 32.1-37) which requires licensed providers to report
outbreaks of infectious diseases to local Health Departments or the Commissioner of
the Virginia Department of Health. Outbreaks are generally defined as more than one
case, but another provision in the bill provided that licensed services could voluntarily
Revised:
1/2013
Page 1 of 5
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROCEDURES
Procedural Area:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Procedure Title:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF A PANDEMIC NATURE
Procedure #:
6030.P1
report single cases of a communicable disease if the local health department wanted
those reports. It is understood that local health departments do want reports of any
instance of swine flu.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVISIONS DURING A PANDEMIC SITUTATION:
The Executive Director will determine when a Pandemic situation is to be declared and who is
Essential Staff during a Pandemic situation. Levels of Essential Staff are contained at
Attachment (2). The Executive Director will utilize the One-Call System to notify staff of the
Pandemic situation if this decision is made during non-work hours and of any agency
office/program closings. Once a Pandemic situation is declared, the CSB will:

Provide anti-viral medication and vaccine when it is available to CSB Leadership to
ensure leadership stability, command, control and communication.

Provide anti-viral medication and vaccine when it is available to CSB staff that provides:
1. Essential CSB continuing individual services.
2. Emergency services.
3. Family & Individual Support.

Maintain CSB 24/7 on-site residential services for individuals who have no other
alternatives (meaning they cannot be discharged to family or relatives).

Insure adequate supplies of food, cleaning, sanitary and personal protective equipment
supplies on-site for residential services.

Maintain access to psychotropic medications for OP clinics and for individuals in 24/7
residential sites maintain access to psychotropic medication and medication ordered for
medical/health reasons.

Maintain 24/7 emergency services.
-3-
Issued:
Revised:
1/2013
Page 2 of 5
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROCEDURES
Procedural Area:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Procedure Title:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF A PANDEMIC NATURE
Procedure #:
6030.P1

In case of illness of essential staff, other qualified staff will be subject to reassignment to
provide essential services.

Ensure payment of contracted services and utility services to ensure no discontinuation
of services.

Ensure payroll processing and accounts payable/receivable/purchasing.

Plan for quarantine of group homes.

Separate suspected or confirmed influenza patients from individuals free from
symptoms.

Any staff/individuals working in or attending Board programs that have symptoms of a
respiratory infection should be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as
possible.

Utilize Universal Precautions when administering care to all individuals.

Restrict staff movement from areas of the facility having outbreaks.

Notify visitors (e.g., via posted notices) that adults with respiratory symptoms should
not visit the facility for 5 days and children with symptoms should not visit for 10 days
following the onset of illness.

Ensure employees performing essential services requiring face-to-face contact have
proper personal protective equipment to sustain essential services.

Continue to educate individuals and staff on infectious disease preparedness and
response.
The Executive Director will utilize the One-Call Service to notify staff when the Pandemic
situation ends and when regular agency services/hours will commence.
Issued:
Revised:
1/2013
Page 3 of 5
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROCEDURES
Procedural Area:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Procedure Title:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF A PANDEMIC NATURE
Procedure #:
6030.P1
ESSENTIAL STAFF
LEVEL 1:
o Management Team
o Residential Services
o Emergency Services
o Nurses
LEVEL 2:
o Administrative Staff:
 Accounting
 Payroll
 Purchasing
 Financial Support Services
o Program Supervisors
o Program Administrative Staff
LEVEL 3:
o Case Managers
o Any other staff deemed essential
2.0 Definitions
3.0 Associated Forms
4.0 Compliance
Code of Virginia § 32.1-37
Issued:
Revised:
1/2013
Page 4 of 5
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROCEDURES
Procedural Area:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Procedure Title:
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OF A PANDEMIC NATURE
Procedure #:
6030.P1
5.0 Governing Policy
Risk Management | Communicable Diseases of a Pandemic Nature (6030)
Sign-Off
Action/Status
Staff review/coordination/approval (PENDING)
Issued:
Revised:
1/2013
Made by (initials):
BJ/TP
Approved by (initials):
Date:
01/08/2013
Page 5 of 5