As concern over the H1N1 virus intensifies, Quad-City employers are hoping a dose of prevention now protects their workers and workplaces from any serious outbreaks in the future.
Companies of all sizes are making plans to thwart the spread of H1N1, or commonly known as swine flu. For most, that begins with communicating and educating their workers. For others, planning could involve developing a crisis management plan much like they do for other emergencies. But the threat of pandemic flu also is prompting discussions about mandatory flu shots, creating procedures to isolate employees and other actions necessary to avoid the spread of the potentially deadly virus.
Theresa Foes, spokesperson for the Rock Island County Health Department, said the same common-sense ideas being drilled into the public - from hand washing to good cough etiquette and staying home when you're sick - translate well to the workplace.
"I think businesses should be looking at their sick policies and making contingency plans," she said. "At the very least, they should make contingency plans for if they have a significant number of their staff out either because they're sick or they are caring for someone else who is ill."
Foes said she's encouraged by inquiries the department is receiving about both the swine flu and the seasonal flu. "We have worked with some businesses that have been proactive. But I think some are taking it for granted this will all work out. They really need to get a plan in place."
Given some of the unknowns - such as when the H1N1 vaccine will be available and for whom - there is some planning that can't be done yet. Amy Cannady, a community health consultant for the Scott County Health Department, said once the vaccine is received, it will be in limited quantities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, will determine who receives it first. "Those guidelines will have to be followed," she said.
In the meantime, employers are becoming more interested in protecting against the seasonal flu.
Deni McCarter, the manager of Genesis Occupational Health, said her department has scheduled seasonal flu vaccinations for more than 5,000 workers. "I would say we are seeing increased scheduling and scheduling earlier than we have previous years."
Each fall, her staff of 30 visits employers to administer vaccinations on-site, working with companies ranging from five to 400 employees, she said.
"I've been doing this 17 years and I've seen a significant increase annually in employers offering flu vaccinations to their populations," McCarter said. "I think H1N1 and the media intensity has certainly heightened employers' awareness for their employees' health."
Genesis Health System will make it highly suggested but not mandatory that its employees get seasonal flu shots this year, spokesman Craig Cooper said. Last year there was 90 percent compliance, he said. There are certain exceptions, including medical and religious reasons.
But if the H1N1 outbreak gets as serious as is being predicted, he said "You want to make sure your health care workers are protected already."
Erin Lounsberry, a spokeswoman for Trinity Regional Health System, said the organization is still discussing whether to require seasonal flu shots for employees. As for the H1N1 vaccine, "first the vaccine has to be approved," she said. "Once approved, if there is enough quantity we would like to immunize all our employees."
Internally, she said Trinity is developing a priority schedule for immunizations. But she stressed that patient care "is a team effort" that includes not only the medical staff but also environmental and nutritional services.
Short of having the new vaccine on hand, other Quad-City employers are ensuring they have plans in place to avoid any spread of the flu.
At Deere & Co., last spring's outbreak in Mexico gave the global equipment make ran opportunity to put its plans to the test, according to Dr. Marleece Barber, the director of Enterprise Health and Medical Services. While the outbreak did not involved Deere directly, she said "it definitely gave us a head start in how to communicate to our employees."
Barber said Deere recently had an H1N1 case involving an employee at its plant in Pune, India. The worker has since recovered.
She said Deere's plans also begin with education and communication, which mirrors the CDC's recommendations. "We're also prepared to issue certain guidance - if they are ill or have a fever, we tell them to stay home. If we can prevent the spread, others won't get sick."
In India, she said the company practiced social distancing, or reducing the large group interactions that occur in a workplace. "We ceased having large face-to-face meetings and restricted employee travel."
If necessary, other social distancing strategies at Deere could eliminate dining in the cafeteria or face-to-face meetings. Depending on the level of outbreak, employees also could be told to work from home.
"Our main priority is to make sure we do our best to maintain the health and safety of our employees," Barber said.
Insurance provider UnitedHealthcare said last week that it will cover swine flu shots for all its members, including those with plans that don't normally cover immunizations.
"This is a new addition to the list of our normal immunizations," said Dr. Bruce Steffens, the medical director for United Healthcare of Iowa and Central Illinois, based in Moline. "Clearly, it's the right thing to be doing."
Dan Kueter, UnitedHealthcare's president and CEO, said the company "wanted to remove the barriers, questions and wonderment amongst our members so we tried to be very upfront and clear - yes, this will be covered."
He added that no decisions are made about the H1N1 vaccine. "Depending on the availability of the vaccine and how the CDC changes its advice on who should receive it � it may rise to the level where it warrants us having the shots available at the workplaces."
At the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, efforts are being taken to keep blood donors healthy by offering free seasonal flu vaccinations, said Kirby Winn, the public relations director. Donors who make two or more donations between Aug. 17 and Dec. 31 will be offered immunizations free of charge.
"When your blood donors are vaccinated, they remain healthy and therefore continue to give blood," he said.
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