EMERGENCY / DISASTER / PANDEMIC CONTINGENCY PLAN

Purpose:

The purpose of this guide is to assist staff to prepare for situations that may arise such as emergencies, disasters, or a flu pandemic.  Staff will review these procedures annually.

Emergency/disaster situations include such things as winter storms, tornadoes, power outages or any technological or environmental event that has a significant impact on the regular support of individuals including completion of daily routines, safe movement around the home/community, and safe/proper food storage.

Influenza pandemic:  People are exposed to different strains of the influenza virus many times during their lives.  Even though the virus changes, previous bouts of influenza may offer some protection against infection caused by a similar strain of the virus.  However, three to four times each century, for unknown reasons, a radical change takes place in the influenza A virus causing a new strain to emerge.

Since people have no protection against the new strain, it can spread rapidly around the world, causing what is known as a pandemic.  Frequently, the pandemic influenza virus causes severe complications, such as pneumonia and death in previously healthy individuals.  The last three pandemics occurred in 1918-19, 1957-58 and 1968-69.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/pandemic_qa_e.html#1

General Procedures

• Brantwood  will remain open unless public service announcements indicate otherwise ( e.g. unless evacuation is ordered or the emergency/disaster dictates)
• Stay informed through media updates
• Staff will be required to remain on site until it is safe to leave
• If evacuation in required or ordered, evacuation procedures will be followed.
• It is recommended that during adverse conditions individuals stay inside and travel as little as possible.  When in doubt, the decision to have individuals travel will be made by management
   

Specific Procedures

ADVERSE WEATHER

Winter Storms

When a winter storm watch is in effect:

• One staff in each house will monitor the situation by listening to the radio (CKPC 92.1 FM), which will inform them if the Centre is open or not.
• The Community Day Program staff and Seating Department staff are expected to report to their assigned homes if the Centre is closed.  The Coordinator in charge of the Centre/day programs will decide if the Centre closes.
• Brantwood provides 24 hour support so the group homes never close
• Dress people for the weather conditions
• Recognize cold related injuries such as frostbite or hypothermia

 

Tornado warnings

• Choose a pre-designated tornado safety area considering the following:

• • Main floors of buildings and basements are the safest areas
  • Avoid large open spaces
  • Interior hallways are safe areas
  • Remain at least a door width away from doors and as far away as possible from windows
  • During a tornado warning attempt move people to the safe area with their back to the wall, and arms covering their faces
  • Secure people in their wheelchairs
     

Predetermined safe areas for each group home are as follows:

25 Bell Lane - People should move to the north end of the Sensory area which has minimal windows.  The sliding wall should be closed to prevent flying glass from the other sides.

Kerr Shaver - Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and move into the back hallway by the bathroom and bedroom.

MacBride - Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and move into the back hall way by the bathrooms and the previous laundry room.

Beckett - Close all the bedroom doors and the bathroom doors and move into the back hallway near the bathrooms.

Mt. Pleasant - Close all of the bedroom and the bathroom doors and move into the back hallway by the big bathroom.

Dundas - Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and move into the back hallway by the big bathroom.

346 Nelson - Put the van in the driveway and move all the residents into the garage.

430 Nelson - Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and move into the back hallway.

St.  Paul - Close all the bedroom and bathroom doors and move into the back hallway near the extra room. 

95 Tollgate - Close the bathroom and bedroom doors near the car port and go into this area.  If you have time put a bed mattress up against the door which has glass in it.

129  Tollgate - Close all the doors in the bathrooms and bedrooms and if time put mattresses up against the side door and the front door to prevent flying glass and move the residents into this area.

100 Paris Rd - Close the bathroom and bedroom doors in the back hallway near the yellow bathroom, and go into this area.  If you have time put a bed mattress up against the door which has the glass in it.

 

POWER OUTAGES

Storing and Using Food Properly

Food safety is a concern during a power outage.  Bacteria grows quickly between 4°C. and 60° C.  Record the time the power goes out.

• All meat and dairy products are to be disposed of if the power is out for 4 hours or more
• Use perishable foods( meat, poultry, fish, milk, and eggs) first
• Keep freezer door shut as much as possible.  A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 2 days.  A half- full freezer will keep food frozen for 1 day.
• The way food smells is not a reliable indicator of it’s safety
• Use the “when in doubt, throw it out” rule for any food item

Ice and ice packs placed in refrigerators will help keep the food cold longer (if they are available).  If there are still ice crystals in frozen food when partially thawed, it is safe to refreeze.

PANDEMIC / OUTBREAK OF ILLNESS

Preventive Action

Proper hand washing is the most important thing that can be done to prevent the spread of infection/illness. Teach and practice effective hand washing as part of the daily routine.

• Have liquid soap and alcohol based hand sanitizer available (min 60% alcohol content)

• Review flu symptoms (fever, muscle pain and weakness, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose) each fall at a staff meeting.
• Have a supply of N95 masks, gowns, and gloves readily available

• If an individual displays contagious like symptoms, isolate them from other people in the home as much as possible.  Use cohort care.  Designate one (or more) staff member to care for ill people ONLY.  Do not have staff move between ill and well residents.

• Get a yearly flu shot
• Teach people to cough into arm instead of hands 
• Clean contact surface daily or more often, with a disinfectant such as Viroxx (include phones, keyboards, light switches, toilet handles, door knobs, binders etc.
   

Preventative Action- Staff

• All staff to review infection control policies and procedures (review at staff meetings)
• All staff to review pandemic information from public health (Nurse will ensure information is available and current)
• All staff to review hand washing procedures
• Ensure hand washing is part of the daily routine for the clients
• Anti-viral  (wipes) will be available in the group homes
• Have  masks, gowns and gloves on hand with instructions on how to use them
• If a client displays flu like symptoms, isolate him/her from other clients in the home
• Communicate to other sites when the flu is going around
• Recommend that staff and clients get the flu shot every year

 

Preventative Action – Families

• If a client’s family has been exposed to the pandemic, the client should avoid contact until threat of infection passes
• Coordinators will prepare families of possible group home closures

 

Active Outbreak Plan:

PROPER HAND WASHING IS A MUST

• Staff displaying symptoms of the outbreak illness is to notify their Coordinator who will notify the Health Services Director
• When there is a larger number than normal of people who are ill in one location, this could be the start of an outbreak.  The nurse will begin documenting information on illness symptoms, names of all people who are ill, dates of illness, and numbers of occurrences.  The nurse will then notify the Health Services Director who will determine whether the Brant County Health Unit is to be notified
• Whenever possible separate the ill person from those who are well.
• Use gowns, gloves and N95 masks as directed by the health unit and Brantwood’s infection control policies
• Monitor symptoms of the illness, notify the person’s physician and treat as ordered
• Clean all contact surfaces at least daily with a disinfectant or sanitizing product (such as Viroxx or a bleach and water solution)
• Ensure area is well ventilated
• Suggest that staff change clothes before or after leaving work to reduce the chances of spreading germs
• The Brant County Health Unit will provide guidelines that include when people can return to work or resume regular activities.

 

Active Pandemic Period Plan: When a client or staff has been diagnosed with the pandemic flu

• Follow procedure for Outbreak management  (residential policy IC-10)
• Coordinator (or designate) will communicate with families
• Ensure cleaning every evening which includes wiping down tables, chairs, counter tops, bathrooms, door knobs, sink etc. with Javex (1:100 solution) or Virox solution/wipes.
• Alert all staff - those who are and are not working
• Try to keep clients who are not infected, together (this may mean transfers between group homes, the need for this will be determined by the on-call coordinator)
• Ensure area is well ventilated
• Nurses will complete line listing documentation on ill clients

 

Staffing

• When  staff are diagnosed with the pandemic flu, they are to notify the on-call coordinator as soon as possible
  
   

Employee absenteeism

• Staff are encouraged to develop their own family care plans for the care of their children or other dependent family members in the event of situations such as “snow days” school closures, flu pandemics etc.
• Staff may not return to work until they are symptom free according to the health unit or their physician’s guidelines
• Management  may assign staff to work in areas they do not normally work in order to ensure continuous care of the people supported by Brantwood
• Brantwood will use appropriate measures to control absenteeism other then staff who are absent due to illness  i.e. not approving vacation or other non-illness related absences
• Brantwood management will decide what services are essential (this could include closing services)
  
   

SURVIVAL KITS/GENERAL SUPPLIES

Emergency Survival Kit

Coordinators will ensure that all locations have an emergency survival kit that includes:

• A flashlight
• Battery operated radio and batteries
• A fully charged cell phone and a list of emergency phone numbers
• Car charger for cell phone

 

In addition each group home will stock the following six basics:

1.         Water

• Store at least a 3 day supply of  bottled water for each individual plus 2 or 3 staff (2 litres per person per day)
• Change the stored water supply every 6 months to ensure it stays fresh

2.         Food
Store at least a 3 day supply on non-perishable food and choose foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water

Select food that is compact and lightweight such as:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, pasta ( choose foods that can be pureed by hand if needed, and/or have a supply of  jarred baby food)
• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered store extra water)
• Sugar, salt, pepper, spices
• High-energy foods for staff (peanut butter, jam, crackers, granola bars, trail mix)
• Food required for special diets (i.e.  Jevity, Ensure)
• Comfort/stress foods –cookies, coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate
• Pet food if there are pets in the home

Food Shelf Life

Up to 6 months

• boxed powdered milk
• dried fruit (in sealed container)
• dry, crisp crackers (in sealed container)
• potatoes

Up to 12 months

• canned meat and condensed vegetable soups
• canned fruit, fruit juice and vegetables
• ready-to-eat cereal and uncooked instant cereal (in containers)
• peanut butter and jam (if seal unbroken)
• hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts
   

3.         First Aid Supplies

• • pain relievers
  • anti-diarrhea medication
  • sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
  • antacid
  • laxative
  • All  prescription medications

 

4.         Clothing and Bedding

• One change of clothing and footwear per person
• Sturdy shoes/work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets, sleeping bags
• Thermal underwear
• Sweaters
• Incontinent supplies

 

5.         Tools and Supplies

• paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, storage containers
• battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries
• lantern and fuel, candles
• fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type)
• duct tape
• pliers, hammer, nails, shut off wrench for household gas and water
• compass, matches in waterproof container, signal flare, whistle
• paper, pencil, needles, thread
• plastic sheeting
• map of Brantford and Brant County (for locating shelters)
• liquid soap, bleach, alcohol based hand sanitizer
• plastic bags, ties
• plastic bucket with lid
• emergency blanket
• mosquito repellent
• rope and shovel
• pocket knife or multi-tool

 

6.         Special Items

• Passports
• Health cards
• Bank account, credit card numbers and a small amount of cash
• Health summary sheet with photo in case you are separated
• MAR sheets, green binders (with feeding profiles)

 

COMMUNICATION

All emergency phone numbers are listed on the Brantwood telephone list.  This list is updated regularly.

Each group home is to ensure that their cell phone is kept fully charged in the event that the land telephones are not operational.

• 1. The Executive Director and Directors can be reached by cell phone
  2. The Health Services Director (on-call) can be reached by pager
  3. On-Call Coordinator can be reached by pager
  4. The Nurse can be reached by pager and/or cell phone