Businesses urged to plan for flu impact

A team of medical specialists met with business leaders in the Brockton area recently to discuss the importance of taking preventive measures in the workplace, and to urge employers to be ready with backup plans for keeping their operations running, should large numbers of their workers wind up sick.

Helen Singh, the public health nurse for Brockton, said the flu may affect as much as 30 to 40 percent of the workforce this season. “This is an unusual event that probably won’t happen again in our lifetime,’’ Singh said. “In an emer gency like this, you need a set of flexible rules.’’

This year, the double threat of seasonal flu coupled with the new H1N1 virus has employers nervous. Dr. Richard Herman, chief of emergency medicine at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, said no one knows what the impact of the flu will be this winter. “Right now it’s still a big question mark,’’ he said.

Most of the country is already battling the flu, even though it generally doesn’t strike this early in the season. According to Herman, flu cases out there currently are “99 percent H1N1.’’ That strain has symptoms similar to the seasonal flu, with cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and body aches, but it has so far proven to be more life-threatening, at least in younger victims.

“We’re in the midst of a pandemic global outbreak,’’ Herman said. “The worldwide alert level is currently Level 6. That’s as high as you can go. How bad is it? So far, it’s been bad in a few and mild in most.’’

But whether symptoms are severe or mild, widespread flu can seriously impair operations in smaller businesses. Preventive advice given out during the business forum included the usual: set up hand-sanitizing stations, encourage frequent hand-washing, space workers a little further apart (a practice called “social distancing’’), set up shifts so fewer employees are at work at a time, and allow those who can to work from home.

Employers were also told to put together plans for handling flu outbreaks and to share the details ahead of time with workers. Advice included developing policies that encourage sick employees to stay home for as long as needed without fear of reprisal. Plans should take into consideration that workers may be forced to stay home to care for sick family members or if schools and childcare providers temporarily close. And if employees get sick while at work, they should be isolated so they don’t infect others.

Doctors’ notes should not be required upon return to work, since physicians will be far too busy with patients needing treatment.

Forum speaker Susan Higgins, an occupational health nurse at Good Samaritan Medical Center, said employers can lessen the impact of flu on their business by adjusting their work schedules. “Half your workforce could be out,’’ she said. “Don’t plan big projects for December when the flu is in full swing, and figure out how people can connect via the Internet.’’

Herman urged employers to vigorously promote flu shots for both seasonal and H1N1 flu. “You can eat lots of herbs and vitamins and go to faith healers, or you can get a flu shot,’’ he said. “It’s everyone’s moral responsibility to get a flu shot and be protected, not just for yourself, but for your families and your community.’’

David Holmberg, who works in the Human Resources Department at the Community Bank in Brockton, was among the business leaders and employers who attended the presentation. He said Wednesday he was working on a plan for dealing with H1N1 at Community Bank, but wasn’t sure whether it would be ready by the end of the week. The bank held its seasonal flu clinic late last month, and a considerable number of employees got shots.

Gerry Davis, an employee at Home Health and Childcare Inc., a Brockton-based childcare referral agency that serves 27 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, said she has forwarded suggestions she heard at the forum to her company’s top officials.

Davis is also passing along to her fellow workers what she believes was the best tip given at the forum. “I’ve been telling everybody to get flu shots when they become available,’’ she said.

But those who have not yet received their seasonal flu shots may have to wait a while. The state Department of Public Health said shipments have been delayed because manufacturers are focusing on making H1N1 vaccine. “Now we’re hoping for early December,’’ said department spokeswoman Jennifer Manley.

The state will eventually get 880,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine (about 69 percent of that has already arrived and been distributed), and 3.5 million doses of H1N1 vaccine.

So far 220,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have arrived and been supplied to health care facilities. Just when the remainder will arrive has not yet been determined.

Christine Legere can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.