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Influenza A (H1N1) - Swine Flu

Managing the impact of Influenza A (H1N1 ) - Swine Flu

In a pandemic, influenza is likely to spread rapidly throughout populations, affecting not only vulnerable people but also young fit people including healthcare professionals who are caring for others. The combination of large numbers of sick people with a reduction in availability of healthcare staff to assess them suggests that a technological solution could help. Therefore a solution that would support a rapid clinical assessment and introduces self assessment within the constraints imposed by the pandemic would be welcome. This would typically include:

  • Fast deployment to respond to a surge in patient demand
  • Ability to cope with a volume of patient contacts which exceeds normal volumes and healthcare staff availability
  • Assessment through multiple channels
  • A consistent approach to assessment of patient signs and symptoms and determining needs, priorities and signposting of care pathways
  • Responsiveness to a changing need as the situation evolves

IntefleCS® Health Watch has been designed to take account of these likely demands and to assist with the early detection and effective management of an epidemic or pandemic outbreak, bio-threats, natural disasters and large scale emergencies. The solution steers consumers and clinicians successfully through the healthcare delivery process to ensure that patients are referred to the most appropriate level of care. The solution is multi channel, including a web-based call centre channel and a public web channel for self assessment processes for the patient to follow. Consistent use of the clinical algorithms and content in the call centre and public web channels enables consistency of information and the streaming of patient to the right point of care based on the demands. The clinical algorithms and the outcomes that underpin IntefleCS® Health Watch can also be easily modified and quickly adapted as the situation develops and the demands changes.

IntefleCS® Health Watch is a scaleable solution that can be deployed nationally or locally to improve access to healthcare, and manage patient interactions in order to improve patient safety, utilisation of resources, and the ability of patients to self-care.

The IntefleCS® Health Watch channels can work together or standalone and can also be integrated into other solutions such as existing telephone triage systems providing further efficiencies and streamlining.

IntefleCS® Health Watch is available now, can be deployed rapidly, and is easily adaptable to meet customers' specific requirements and processes.

Benefits of IntefleCS® Health Watch

Utilising one or both of these channels, millions of patients would rapidly have access to a consistent clinically approved assessment process and up to date information and advice which would:

  • Assist in limiting the spread of infection
  • Help people stay well
  • Identify those who need to seek further medical assessment or treatment
  • Support those who are unwell but can self care
  • Provide information to others
  • Overall reduction in severity of the incident
  • Consistent clinical advice and processing of patients
  • Efficient utilisation of resources
  • Ability to adapt advice and outcomes to the changing situation
  • Integration with your own, Clinical Solutions' or third party systems

The information collected using the algorithms deployed in the call centres and from the websites will provide invaluable information for those responsible for managing the allocation of resources and the response to the pandemic in terms of location of populations affected, severity of symptoms and emerging trends.

Recent global events have illustrated that influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world. Preparedness measures undertaken now ARE an investment to deal with immediate and future public health incidents. New diseases are, by definition, poorly understood and influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour.

Regardless of your organisation's healthcare, business, academic, or public services focus, if you are looking for effective web based tools that can assist in your pandemic preparedness today and in the future, contact Clinical Solutions.

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