Implementation of Flu on Call™ By a Small Local Health Department

BACKGROUND: Small local health departments are often tasked with managing disease outbreaks and events, including community and media response, with few staff. Three Rivers Public Health Department’s (3RPHD) previous experience with such events, including meningitis and measles, revealed the need for assistance with fielding community inquiries and reducing unnecessary surge on local hospitals and clinics. Because of this, 3RPHD applied, and was selected, to be one of two national pilot sites to test Flu on Call™, a new influenza preparedness capability.

METHODS: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the widespread use of Flu on Call™ during an emergency, 3RPHD participated in the Flu on Call™ demonstration project between January and February 2016, as part of its seasonal influenza response. 3RPHD convened a core steering committee with representatives from local hospitals, schools, clinics, and other integral stakeholders in order to determine the most efficient ways to penetrate media markets to inform the community at large about the demonstration project. Media messaging was then created, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and disseminated through several outlets, in order to reach a diverse array of community members.

Throughout the demonstration project, 3RPHD collected project evaluation data in collaboration with project partners, including CDC, United Way 2-1-1, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and others. Data included state and local epidemiological influenza surveillance data; vaccine clinic data; data on media penetration and community uptake of Flu on Call™; community satisfaction; as well as the evaluation and mapping of caller demographic data. 

RESULTS: The Flu on Call™ demonstration project provided insight into the viability of the system’s telephonic infrastructure; the level of public awareness and media outlet usability; interagency coordination; and small health departments’ capability to prepare, prime, activate, and de-activate the Flu on Call™  system.

CONCLUSIONS: The demonstration project confirmed the ability of Flu on Call™ to enhance local health department’s disease outbreak capabilities through triage lines and through community partnerships, while simultaneously reducing surge on hospitals and clinics, thus, strengthening the local community response.