Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: California Confronts the Legal Implications Patricia Holsclaw, MHA, California Distance Learning Health Network Natalie Nakahara, MA, Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services Leslie Heyden, MS, Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services Everly, Macario, ScD, Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services Violet Macias, MS, MEd, California Distance Learning Health Network

Background  Collaboration  Purpose  To assist local health jurisdictions in identifying public health legal issues related to a pandemic event  Response to prepare local, state and regional pandemic plans California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Background (cont.)  Content  Health Officer Practice Guide for Communicable Disease Control in California  Audience  Public health staff and key partners from other agencies who would be involved in a pandemic flu response California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Background (cont.)  Format  75 minute Satellite Broadcast followed by a 3-hour table top exercise  Attendees  All California jurisdictions  National participation  Continuing education  Nurses and physicians  Post Training  DVD/CDRom available in English and Spanish California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Methods  Broadcast/video  Pre-recorded and excerpted from CCLHO conference in April 2006  Broadcast available as webcast for 2 months at  Table top exercise  Based on topics in the broadcast/video  Resources on CDLHN website California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Topics Covered  Health Officer Authority  Codes, Statutes, Regulations, Orders, Ordinances and Resolutions  Civil and Criminal Enforcement of Authority  Constitutional Limits  Constitutional parameters  Inter-jurisdictional Considerations California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Topics Covered (cont.)  Control Measures  Vaccination and Testing  Commandeering, Conscription and Rationing California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Table Top Exercise  Table Top Exercises presented as Scenarios  Workgroup problem-solving, planning, and decision-making  Opportunity to network with key partners for the first time California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Evaluation  Broadcast/Video  Online evaluation for broadcast CE  Tabletop Exercise  Post training participant and facilitator evaluation forms  Debriefs calls with facilitators of the training California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Objectives  Broadcast Objectives  Identify public health law issues related to pandemic influenza  Identify differences between isolation and quarantine  Describe circumstances during which isolation and quarantine are appropriate  Describe the authority of the health officer California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Objectives  Table Top Objectives  Explain the impact of public health law on key roles and responsibilities during a pandemic flu emergency  Describe and assess decision-making processes during a possible influenza pandemic California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Objectives (cont.)  Table Top Objectives  Describe major factors that could impact the implementation of public health law  Identify and assess gaps and vulnerabilities in their emergency preparedness plan in terms of implementing public health law California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Participation  Registered to host live or archive  Total: 435 sites (national and CA statewide)  75 California sites (incl. 60 of the 61 LHDs)  360 out-of-state sites  Estimated viewers of the live broadcast  Total: 3,633 viewers  1,076 viewers in California  2,557 outside California California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Participation (cont.)  Projected post-broadcast viewers  Total: 4,243 viewers  788 viewers in California  3,455 outside California  Tabletop participation  24 local health departments in California California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Conclusions Lessons Learned  Support from and participation by LHO was key  Strong interest in this topic  Ideal venue for non-related professions with interdependent responsibilities in a pan flu emergency California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Conclusions (cont.) Lessons Learned  Follow up meetings valuable  Provided valuable forum for collaboration and networking  Combination of venues increased value of training California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Conclusions (cont.) Recommendations  Continue to combine broadcast and table top exercise for effectiveness  Limit attendees for maximum relevance  Early training of facilitators is important  Provide additional training on related legal topics California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch California Distance Learning Health Network

Thank You! Patricia Holsclaw