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Pitsel Pandemic News (03|17|09)

Best Practices, Tested

The New York Times Syndicate on Sunday, March 15, 2009, posted the results of a first-of-a-kind experiment.

Mankind has never prepared like this for infectious diseases before. How do we know pandemic plans we put in place will even work? No other world-wide contagion has ever had so much advance warning, so much lead-up time to get ready. How do we know that our pre-cautions are even going to have an effect?

In order to answer this a large scale experiment was conducted to assess a variety of social-distancing and infection-control measures that are common to most workplace pandemic plans. The measures included avoiding close contact with others, and observing strict hygiene practices, typically accepted as effective procedures in restricting the spread of disease. But are they? There is little data to support their potential effect on the spread of influenza and its consequences.

Lockheed Martin's Pandemic Response Plan was used in its call centre for a three week simulation of an influenza outbreak. During this time 75 employees followed the same strict regimen of behaviors that would be demanded of them during a real infectious disease crisis.

The New York Times report says that, "The social-distancing measures, for example, required employees to stay at least three feet away from one another and avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands. They also had to enter and exit the building at a single door; replace face-to-face meetings with teleconferencing; cancel workshops, training sessions and other public meetings; refrain from using the cafeteria, vending machines and microwave and other food-related appliances. With regard to infection control, employees had to adhere to a stringent hand-hygiene regimen that included using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and antimicrobial wipes after touching common areas such as telephones or door handles. They also had to keep their own immediate area disinfected and take out their personal trash before leaving for the day."

Before the simulation they set an 80% compliance rate of the regulations as the minimum level needed for the study, and then monitored employees for compliance through on-site observations and self-reporting by employees.

Results show the employees achieved social distancing (86% - 96%, success rate) more easily than infection control (69% - 84%, success rate), but the averages for the combined activities was well above the 80% minimum target, showing favorable compliance of 92% by observation, and 89% by employee self-reporting.

Even more interesting than the measure of cooperation is the soft data that was collected. The interventions added to regular workday stress levels. Some employees reported they felt isolated, some felt trapped and claustrophobic. Walking further to the designated bathroom, unable to use vending areas and cafeteria, unable to take usual smoking breaks, and the constant hand washing and cleaning of their workspaces and desks was inconvenient.

An unexpected result was the stress that developed between employees and contractor staff. Full-time employees had the benefit of sick leave but contractors generally do not. "It heightened awareness of how illness spreads, especially by people who come to work when they are sick." It became notable when people sneezed, coughed, or showed other signs of illness. "Contractors began to feel scrutinized as the experiment progressed. This problem - how to ensure sick people stay home during a (health) crisis - is one that organizations will have to address."

There was also an unanticipated benefit that resulted. After employees became accustomed to the new hygiene practices the majority of them reported they continued these practices at home.

In the final tally more than 70% of the participants said that social-distancing and hygiene measures did not negatively affect their day-to-day activities. The majority said they would continue the hygiene measures at work, and more than 90% said they felt confident in being able to achieve the social distancing measures necessary if a pandemic of six to eight weeks happens.

The report also included the broad range of natural and man-made threats facing the nation that could also necessitate the precautions that had been practiced, from food contamination incidents to chemical or biological attacks, all with the potential to necessitate infection-control measures.

The conclusion is that business can work through a crisis if they prepare. Although there was a disruption of normal routines, employees found ways to adapt and innovate to accomplish their duties. "Not only did a majority of participants express overall satisfaction with the measures, they also said the experience had given them the knowledge, tools and confidence to handle a real, and even lengthier, pandemic."

This is WEEK #7 of the Preparedness Challenge. It requires one 100 ft. roll of clear (4 mil.) plastic (available at home hardware outlets) and 10 rolls of duct tape - to temporarily establish an infirmary in the home, if necessary.

Personally, I'm flexible on this one, but on the other hand, it doesn't take up much room, nor does it need to be monitored for stale dating.

Stay well. Take care.

© 2009, Pitsel and Associates Ltd.
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