Non-traditional healthcare site trial

QUÉBEC CONTINUES WITH PREPARATIONS FOR AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC

Longueuil, June 8, 2006 – Québec is continuing its efforts to prepare for an influenza pandemic, in line with the plan that was made public on March 9, 2006. Across Québec, teams are implementing the five sections of the Québec Pandemic Influenza Plan, which cover public health, physical health, psychosocial response, communication and the continuity of network services.

“As planned, each agency submitted a draft of its regional action plan at the end of May. All of the plans are being analyzed and validated in preparation for their application. As for the local plans being prepared by establishments, they are expected to be submitted on October 31. Even if the pandemic is not on our doorstep, we are remaining highly mobilized,” said Dr. Alain Poirier, National Public Health Director. He was accompanied by Dr. François Paquet, the medical examiner responsible for coordinating health and social services in the event of a pandemic, as well as various partners of the health and social services network in the Montérégie.

The Montérégie is the region where a field experiment has just been completed—the first trial relating to a non-traditional healthcare site. In the event of a pandemic, these sites will become an essential component in healthcare organization and complement more familiar services such as home support, medical clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals. The purpose of the trial conducted in the Montérégie was to validate the model developed by experts as well as the tools available. Based on the results, the trial was a success. A few adjustments will be made to the original model, which will then be disseminated to all regions.

Should a pandemic occur, the people who are the least affected will generally be encouraged to stay at home. To assist them, there will be a self-care guide they can refer to and Info-Santé services at their disposal. If hospitals become overcrowded, the plan calls for admitting people who have influenza only if they require specialized care such as intubation or the use of a respirator. “Non-traditional healthcare sites will provide support by delivering care to patients with the flu whose health does not allow them to receive care at home but who do not need to be treated at a hospital centre. These sites will also play an important role in evaluating, treating and educating patients with flu-like symptoms,” explained Dr. François Paquet.

Dr. Alain Poirier, National Public Health Director, took the opportunity to present a progress report on the various other measures in the Québec Pandemic Influenza Plan. As such, a census of alternate human resources, particularly among retirees, is currently being carried out. These people will provide the network with valuable assistance, if ever a significant portion of regular personnel is affected by illness. In addition, the necessary steps have already been taken to ensure that establishments have sufficient reserves of essential drugs, supplies and equipment for providing influenza-related care and services.

Dr. Poirier also addressed the issue of psychosocial services, since a pandemic would necessarily have important repercussions not only in the area of physical health, but also on all areas of Québecers’ lives, including family, community and social life, the environment, employment, and financial security. Consequently, plans have been made to deploy the necessary range of psychosocial services, namely for people who are ill, their friends and family, and people who are dependent or vulnerable.

An information campaign to provide the general public with information about the pandemic has been set in motion, with the main channels being regional media and the Internet. The public can find complete and up-to-date information on the Government of Québec’s new pandemic Web site at www.pandemicquebec.ca. The site provides access to the Québec Pandemic Influenza Plan. Additional communication activities have been planned for the fall, a period when the question of seasonal influenza typically arises.

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