Inter-professional Collaboration
The 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak outlined the need for inter-professional collaboration. It demonstrated that concepts such as interdependency, partnership, process, power, and sharing were essential in inter-professional collaboration. Moreover, the need to fast-track active involvement through the facilitation of clearances was essential for the dissemination of services to H1N1 patients. Professionals involved in response to the 2009 H1N1 flu included CDC, international, local, and state health officials. These involved both animal and human health officials. They are comprised of epidemiologists, registered nurses, doctors, security officials, infection control and surveillance officials, and researchers, among others (Stoppler, 2012, p. 6). Collaborating teams were organized by NIMS (national incident management system). These were organized to tackle issues such as traveler health, surveillance, at-risk populations, laboratory, vaccine, communications, and antiviral medications. Professionals involved in the H1N1 mitigation process were as follows (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010, p. 1):
- CDC: surveillance, diagnosis, developing a vaccine, research, and clearance, among other roles
- Police: for traffic control
- EOC (Emergency Operations Center): response and coordination to the epidemic
- WHO/PAHO: prosperity and security partnership
- FDA: expansion of usage of antiviral drugs (EUAs)
- NIH: immunization programs
- ACIP: recommendation of H1N1 vaccine
- Other representatives: ACP, FDA, WHO, ISDA, AAP. ASTHO, ACOG, AAFP, NAACHO, and CSTE etc.
The need to respond to the H1N1 epidemic was intense. Good communication was; therefore, necessary to approve its vaccine and to avert its spread. Both inter and intra- professional communication was essential for the achievement of these goals. Besides, given the high number of expertise and departments involved, effective communication needed to be utilized to make the H1N1 vaccine promptly. Despite the numerous challenges involved, CDC was forefront in enabling good communication channels for its professionals and representatives from other agencies. In addition, they coordinated the transfer of information and technology to fast-track approval of the vaccine by ACIP (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012, p. 1).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: Summary Highlights. Web.
Stoppler, M. (2012). Swine Flu: What is the history of swine flu (H1N1) in humans? Web.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2012). 2009 H1N1 Influenza Improvement Plan. Web.