GA Pandemic Influenza

Become a Influenza Sentinel Provider – Contributing to the Public’s Health

What is an influenza sentinel provider?
An influenza sentinel provider conducts surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) in collaboration with the local and state health departments, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data reported by sentinel providers, in combination with other influenza surveillance data, provide a picture of influenza virus and ILI activity in the United States. Approximately 2,600 providers throughout the country were enrolled in this network during the 2008-2009 influenza season; 85 of them were Georgia sentinel providers.

What, how, and to whom are data reported?
Sentinel providers report the total number of patient visits each week and the number of patient visits for influenza-like illness by age group (0-4 years, 5-24 years, 25-49 years, 50-64 years, >65 years). These data are transmitted once a week over the Internet or via fax to CDC. Most providers report that it takes them less than 30 minutes a week to compile and report their data. In addition, sentinel providers submit specimens from a subset of patients for virus isolation, free of charge, three times during the influenza season. The Georgia Public Health Laboratory types the viruses; many of these are then forwarded to CDC for viral characterization.

Who can be an influenza sentinel provider?
Providers of any specialty, such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, infectious diseases, in any type of practice (private practice, public health clinic, urgent care center, emergency room, university student health center, occupational medicine) are eligible to be sentinel providers.

Why volunteer?
Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and cause substantial morbidity and mortality (approximately 36,000 deaths) almost every winter. Data from sentinel providers are critical for monitoring the impact of influenza and in combination with other influenza surveillance data, can be used to guide prevention and control activities, vaccine strain selection, and patient care.

Sentinel providers receive feedback on the data submitted, summaries of regional and national influenza data, and free subscriptions to CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal. The most important consideration is that the data provided are critical for protecting the public’s health. For more information on influenza sentinel provider surveillance, please contact Ariane Reeves, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC – Influenza Surveillance Coordinator for the Georgia Division of Public Health – at (404) 463-4625 or alreeves@dhr.state.ga.us.

H1N1 Links

New CPT Codes for H1N1

Live, Attenuated, The Naval Spray Vaccine

Inactivated, The Flu Shot

H1N1 Campaign - A letter from Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner and State Health Officer, Department of Community Health

H1N1 Public Health District Contacts

H1N1 Provider Registration Form

H1N1 AAFP Resources

H1N1 Power Point, August 2009

H1N1 Information

From: David Westfall, MD
Public Health Committee Chair

Re: H1N1 Information

In an effort to minimize the amount of flu activity and severity in our community, public health officials are teaming up with local health care providers. The H1N1 vaccine will be available in October, so pre-planning actions are beginning to take place. Here is information that is important for family physicians to know:

There is a registration process to become an H1N1 vaccine provider. Available on the GAFP website is the registration form. The form is to be submitted to your Public Health District representative. A list of those representatives is also on the GAFP website. Please contact the appropriate representative for best method to submit your registration form.
To become an H1N1 vaccine provider you must agree to enter administration of vaccines in GRITS (Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services). Training on this process will be provided, if necessary. GRITS Info: http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/grits/
As a provider, you must agree to follow priority groupings for vaccine administration.
Providers must report weekly according to CDC guidelines.
Minimum orders are 100 doses to receive vaccine directly; if you do not anticipate using 100 doses, consider partnering with another provider in your area, or quantities of less that 100 doses will be provided to you by your local county health department. Included in the shipment of vaccines will be needles, syringes, alcohol swabs and a sharps container.
The vaccine will be provided to you at no charge. Major insurance companies are expected to reimburse for vaccine administration. Medicaid and Medicare will reimburse an administration fee equal to seasonal influenza vaccine administration fee. Facilities that are not public health departments may charge a cash administration fee for the uninsured population.
The Department of Community Health (DCH) is encouraging Georgians to vaccinate for the seasonal flu as soon as the vaccine is available. At this time it is expected late August, early September.
Georgia Division of Public Health recommends antiviral treatment following CDC guidelines. www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cover antiviral prescriptions, with or without positive H1N1 screening results.
DCH recommends separating ‘sick’ patients from ‘well’ patients, if possible. Consider asking patients with flu-like symptoms to wear a mask while in public areas of your office.

The situation is fluid – expect changes in the recommendations and strategy. Stay informed by routinely visiting the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ , the CDC MMWR webpage www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr58e0821a1.htm?s_cid=rr58e0821a1_e , and the GAFP website: www.gafp.org/pandemic_influenza.asp

Sincerely,

David N. Westfall, MD
GAFP Public Health Committee Chair

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update

On April 29, the GAFP disseminated information to you regarding the Swine Flu, now known as the H1N1 Flu. According to the CDC, there have been confirmed cases here in Georgia. As of May 7, testing criteria for H1N1 influenza has changed. Now in Georgia, only hospitalized patients are to be tested. The GAFP strives to provide you with the most current information. As this pandemic is continually evolving, please frequently check our website www.gafp.org, or visit the CDC website dedicated to the H1N1 Flu at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

June 17, 2009