Welcome to the IRHA EP web page.  IRHA is working with the ISDH through the HRSA grant on Bioterrorism/Emergency Preparedness (BTEP) in rural health clinics (RHC). The purpose of this grant is to collaborate with Indiana’s Rural Health Clinics and involve them in emergency preparedness. There are 16 counties in Indiana that do not have hospitals. The RHCs and primary care providers are the only providers of healthcare in those counties.  There are nearly 40 more RHCs in counties with critical access hospitals and major healthcare centers. With this in mind IRHA started this project to assist RHCs by:    

• conducting needs assessments
• providing training and resources
• purchasing and distributing N-95 masks and fit tests
• creating and distributing a manual to assist RHCs in writing their Emergency Operations Plans
• creating and providing a borrowing EP Resource Center
• communicating with RHCs through an EP website
• distributing patient education resources
• representing RHCs at state level committees

IHAN - What Is It?

IHAN Registration

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New Training Opportunities - see Training Opportunities tab

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Seasonal Flu vs Pandemic Flu

Table: Comparison of Seasonal Flu to Pandemic Flu

Seasonal Influenza

ISDH Immunization Forms 

• www.in.gov/isdh/form/imm_forms.htm - Immunization forms, reporting, temperature logs, refusal forms, etc.

Pandemic Influenza

• www.pandemicflu.gov - Description of alert levels, HHS Pandemic flu plan, news releases, situation updates, national strategy (roles and responsibilities, surveillance, preparedness, communication, response and containment)
• www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tools.html - Planning tools: downloads and software  to estimate impact of a pandemic
• http://www.in.gov/isdh/bioterrorism/PandemicFlu/pdfs/PandemicInfluenzaPlan.pdf -  Indiana’s Pandemic Flu Plan
• http://www.in.gov/isdh/bioterrorism/PandemicFlu/pdfs/MedicalOfficesClinicsChecklist.pdf  - Pandemic Flu Checklist for Medical Offices and Clinics
• www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
• www.osha.gov/Publications/3328-05-2007-English.html

Emergency Preparedness – All Hazards 

A rural health clinic or medical practice is a business that needs to make plans for protection of its staff and facility.  The following sites are helpful in planning for a pandemic or other emergency.  

• ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/RuralPreparedness.pdf
• www.indianaruralhealth.org/library.htm  - Emergency Preparedness Resource Center on IRHA’a website.   Over 100 resources available free upon request: books, DVD, CD-Rom, pamphlets, DVD player.  Details on the library borrowing form. 
• www.ready.gov/business/_downloads/sampleplan.pdf  - Continuation of Operations Plan
• http://www.ready.gov/business/_downloads/emergency_supplies.pdf  - Supply Check List
• http://www.ready.gov/business/plan/decidingstayorgo.html  - Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place Plans
• http://www.ready.gov/business/protect/index.html  - Protect Your Investment.
• http://www.ready.gov/business/talk/index.html  - Keep the workforce informed.
• http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/unthinkable2.pdf  - Easy steps to take now to prepare your office for an emergency. 
• http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont118_lang0_964.pdf - Personal supply list

Standard Operating Procedure Templates

o       Chemical Exposure

o       Winter Storm

Infection Control

Download and print flyers/posters for your office, some available in different languages:

• www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm:
  • Cover Your Cough
  • Germ Stoppers
  • Healthy Habits
• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/

Website includes promotional patient education flyers for flu vaccination, e.g. facts & myths, adults, children, pregnant, high risk.  Also vaccine dosage chart.

• www.itsasnap.org/snap/about.asp  Kids’ infection control.  It is fun, interactive, & includes video footage.   It’s A Snap
• IRHA’s template for RHC infection control plan, includes signage. 

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On-site training: request an inservice-tabletop exercise on pandemic influenza.

Rural Health Clinics: Front-Line Of Healthcare

Preparing For All Possibilities: Including Pandemic Flu

dstidham@indianarha.org

Dana  Stidham is the Rural Clinic/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.  For more information, please contact Dana Stidham by email or phone. See information below.

Dana  Stidham
Rural Clinic/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
1024 South 6th Street, Suite 202
Terre Haute, IN 47807
Phone:  812-343-2030
Fax: 812-342-6482
Email: dstidham@indianarha.org