Effective internal and external communications will be essential to facilitating a coordinated response in an emergency situation, such as pandemic influenza. The OHA, as part of the Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP) Communications subcommittee, has provided input into the development of a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Information Cycle. This Cycle will be used by the Ministry in an emergency to coordinate communications with provider groups, the public, and media.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Information Cycle in an Emergency is shown below and can be found at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/pandemic in the OHPIP 2006 under “Communications”.
Only the Chief Medical Officer of Health can activate the Ministry Information Cycle. Important Health Notices will be issued and briefings held at the same time each day, as will videoconferences and teleconferences. The OHA will participate on the 8:30AM videoconference and serve as a conduit organization, expressing the needs and concerns of our members to the Ministry.
To effectively communicate with members, the OHA has developed its own “Information Cycle in an Emergency”, which mirrors the Ministry Cycle and will be activated when the Ministry Cycle is activated. Information will be issued and teleconferences/videoconferences will be held at the same time every day. In addition, the OHA will operate on a 24-hour 7 days a week cycle to obtain informal feedback and answer questions.
The OHA encourages hospitals to develop an Information Cycle of their own, coordinated with the OHA’s Information Cycle, which could help better facilitate communications with stakeholders, including staff, staff families, patients and their families, public health departments, Local Health Integrated Network and local media.
For further information regarding the OHA Information Cycle in an Emergency, please visit the links available on the left-hand side.
Contact information:
Tim Savage, Health and Safety Consultant
Phone: 416-205-1395
Email: tsavage@oha.com
Rachel Bredin, Assistant Consultant, Health & Safety
Phone: 416-205-1576
Email: rbredin@oha.com