Long before H1N1 pandemic flu (formerly known as "swine flu") made headlines around the world, PAMF had plans to respond to and care for patients during a pandemic flu outbreak. We have committees and task forces comprised of primary and specialty care doctors and administrators who are dedicated to ensuring PAMF is prepared to care for patients with flu -- regardless of whether the flu is seasonal or pandemic.

Our pandemic plan outlines the actions we would take in the event of an outbreak, including monitoring viruses; responding to patients' needs, including triaging patients and using vaccines and antiviral drugs; and communicating with patients and the public.

We also partner with local and county health officials and agencies to ensure an effective and rapid response to a flu pandemic, and receive daily updates from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities with recommendations for caring for patients and preventing the spread of flu.

During the April 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, pandemic planning teams throughout PAMF coordinated details to provide safe and exceptional care to patients despite the fear and confusion the outbreak caused, says Kathy Korbholz, a vice president of ancillary operations at PAMF, who helped create the organization’s pandemic response plan. Korbholz adds that PAMF followed the incident command team structure used by law enforcement agencies and the armed forces in its pandemic planning efforts, because it provides a proven structure, action plan and defined roles for team members in managing disasters and emergencies.

"Working together and planning response efforts during the swine flu outbreak provided us with an excellent testing ground for how we will handle future and more serious pandemic flu outbreaks," says Korbholz. "We have a plan and are able to put it into place quickly and efficiently."