College and University Planning for Pandemic Influenza: A Survey of Philadelphia Schools

Background: Colleges and universities are critical players in the coordinated response to pandemic influenza; they are likely to be impacted as individual institutions and as sites of transmission within the community. However, to date planning efforts have focused on institutions such as hospitals, businesses, and government agencies. Aims and Methods: To assess the current state of college and university planning and to inform recommendations for these institutions, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health developed an interview guide based on CDC guidance and conducted in-depth structured interviews with representatives of Philadelphia schools. Results: Thirteen of 14 schools contacted participated in interviews. Six schools- slightly fewer than half of those surveyed- reported having a draft pandemic influenza plan. Schools noted barriers such as the lack of informational resources, a sense of urgency, concrete recommendations suited to different types of institutions (e.g. small colleges), funding, and political will to tackle a hypothetical threat among a myriad of existing public health threats. Schools requested further guidance on triggers for campus closure, materials to stockpile, and refunding tuition and adjusting credits for missed coursework. Conclusions: Local government can support schools in their pandemic planning efforts- now in its early stages- by facilitating coordination across community institutions. Also, it can provide recommendations as the appropriate level of planning detail, disseminate examples of best practices planning, and continue to emphasize the importance of all-hazards approaches to emergency planning.