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A Collaborative System-wide Response to Influenza Outbreak Management in Saskatoon Health Region

  • Public Health in Action
  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

Résumé

Objectif

Décrire les avantages d’une approche régionale collaborative et systémique pour la gestion des épidémies de grippe.

Participants

Représentants de la haute direction des secteurs touchés de l’office régional de la santé.

Lieu

Région sanitaire de Saskatoon.

Intervention

Suivant une approche proactive, les autorités de santé publique ont amené un vaste groupe multidisciplinaire de planification/gestion à réduire l’effet d’éventuelles épidémies de grippe et à instaurer à l’échelle du réseau des pratiques exemplaires de prévention et d’intervention en cas d’éclosion.

Résultats

Reconnaissance plus précoce et résolution accélérée des épidémies de grippe, éclosions moins nombreuses, allègement de la pression sur les soins actifs, meilleure observance de la prophylaxie par l’amantadine et taux d’immunisation améliorés chez les aînés et les travailleurs de la santé.

Conclusion

Beaucoup de ces mesures et pratiques exemplaires avaient été recommandées individuellement par les secteurs, mais lorsque les autorités de santé publique adoptent une approche systémique (grâce à la régionalisation), la planification, la coordination et l’évaluation sont optimales, et l’on obtient des résultats favorables.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Health Officer, Public Health Services, Saskatoon Health Region, 204, 310 Idylwyld Drive North, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 0Z2, Canada

    Cordell Neudorf BSc, MD, MHSc, FRCPC (Chief Medical Health Officer/Vice President, Corporate Support)

  2. Public Health Services, Saskatoon Health Region, Canada

    Cathy Anderson MSc(Epidemiology), BSN, BA(Sociology) (Epidemiologist/Clinical Specialist)

  3. Disease Control, Public Health Services, Canada

    Janice Chomyn BSN, RN (Manager)

Authors
  1. Cordell Neudorf BSc, MD, MHSc, FRCPC
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  2. Aderonke Obayan MB, BSc, MPH
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  3. Cathy Anderson MSc(Epidemiology), BSN, BA(Sociology)
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  4. Janice Chomyn BSN, RN
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cordell Neudorf BSc, MD, MHSc, FRCPC.

Additional information

Formerly Associate Medical Health Officer

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Neudorf, C., Obayan, A., Anderson, C. et al. A Collaborative System-wide Response to Influenza Outbreak Management in Saskatoon Health Region. Can J Public Health 94, 338–340 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403556

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403556

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