After-action review of the 2009-10 H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Response: Ohio’s Public Health System’s performance

William A. Mase, Dr PH; Beth Bickford, MS; Casey L. Thomas, MA; Shamika D. Jones, MPH; Michael Bisesi, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2017.0340

Authors

William A. Mase, Dr PH
Beth Bickford, MS
Casey L. Thomas, MA
Shamika D. Jones, MPH
Michael Bisesi, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2017.0340

Keywords:

H1N1, influenza, outbreak, prevention, mass vaccination, volunteer management, community mitigation, interoperable communications, risk communications, epidemiological surveillance

Abstract

Objective: In early 2009, H1N1 influenza was identified within the human population. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials responded with focused assessment, policy development, and assurances. The response was mobilized through efforts including procurement of adequate vaccine supply, local area span of control, materials acquisition, and facilities and resource identification.

Methods: Qualitative evaluation of the assurance functions specific to the system's ability to assure safe and healthy conditions are reported. The methodology mirrors the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program used to assess system capability.

Results: Findings demonstrate the effectiveness of community responsive disease prevention efforts in partnership with the public health systems mission to unify traditional public sector systems, for-profit systems, and local area systems was accomplished. As a result of this response pharmaceutical industries, healthcare providers, healthcare agencies, police/safety, colleges, and health and human service agencies were united.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the effectiveness of community response strategies utilizing feedback from system stakeholders. After-action review processes are critical in all-hazards preparedness. This analysis of local health district response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak informs future public health service delivery. Results provide a synthesis of local health department's emergency response strategies, challenges encountered, and future-focused emergency response strategy implementation. A synthesis is provided as to policy and practice developments which have emerged over the past seven years with regard to lessons learned from the 2009-10 H1N1 influenza outbreak and response.

Author Biographies

William A. Mase, Dr PH

Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia

Beth Bickford, MS

Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, Inc., Columbus, Ohio

Casey L. Thomas, MA

Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Shamika D. Jones, MPH

Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia

Michael Bisesi, PhD

Center for Public Health Practice, The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, Ohio

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