With the lazy days of summer quickly ending, the 12,000 students, faculty, and staff returning to Thompson Rivers University this September can expect to learn more about the university’s preparedness for H1N1.
A university-wide Pandemic Preparedness Committee, chaired by associate vice-president Lynn Joly (human resources & planning), has been working on strategy to address all levels of the institution that could be affected by an outbreak of H1N1.
TRU Nursing Faculty Joanne Jones is a pathophysiology
specialist coordinating the university’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan.
“TRU as an institution is addressing its responsibility to educate its students, faculty and staff on the requirements necessary to respond to any potential impact of a possible H1N1 pandemic, and where necessary develop mitigation strategies to help lessen the potential impact of such an event,” said Joly. “There are many university personnel actively working on issues, which could affect their areas of responsibility.
The role of the Pandemic Preparedness Committee is to ensure effective co-ordination across all facets of the university at both of its campuses and the regional centres.”
Representative from numerous divisions across campus “Student Affairs to Campus Physicians, Human Resources to Residence Managers” are actively working on preparedness, prevention/mitigation, response and recovery plans with respect to H1N1
TRU Nursing faculty member Joanne Jones is a pathophysiology specialist “an expert in understanding how the body responds to diseases”. As a member of the PPC she is developing the university’s pandemic preparedness plan, including the message that will be delivered to new and returning students at Orientation on Sept. 8.
“Mostly we will be communicating, often and through many means, the message is that preventive actions such as frequent hand washing and keeping work surfaces clean is the key to remaining healthy,” Jones said. “Our goal is to ensure our staff, students and faculty have sufficient information to make the best decisions about H1N1 for themselves.”
Although the World Health Organizations (WHO) has raised the world’s concern around H1N1, the reality is that many things can cause a pandemic or serious illness and organizations like TRU are responsive to whatever health concerns arise Jones said, citing the examples of Norovirus, measles, mumps and SARS.
Indications from the WHO are that there may be a severe and more widespread second wave of H1N1 this fallIn response, the PPC has widely distributed posters throughout the campus alerting all employees and students in regard to hand-washing and good hygiene techniques that help to reduce the spread of influenza. The Facilities Department has stepped-up disinfection of surfaces throughout the campus. The Occupational Health and Safety Department has masks and gloves should this situation worsen and this step be necessary.
“There are many types of hazards which could impact our university,” said Stacey Jyrkkanen, TRU Occupational Health and Safety Manager”Developing a pandemic plan is a component within a larger plan for the university and the planning and preparation that is currently underway for H1N1 is an extension of TRU’s ongoing emergency management planning.”
TRU will work closely with Interior Health Authority, monitoring the situation, as well as supplying key attendance data to the Regional Health OfficerWith a population base of young people who gather often socially, TRU may be particularly vulnerable to an outbreak of H1N1It is also in the fortunate position of having its own physicians, health educators, communication experts and facility managers all working together to preserve and protect the health, safety and well-being of all members of the university community.
Contact: Joanne Jones, Pandemic Planning Coordinator, TRU School of Nursing,
(p) 250-828-5459 (e) jjones@tru.ca
