3 Elements of Strong Health Risk Mitigation
The CDC defines global health security as, “the existence of strong and resilient public health systems that can prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, wherever they occur in the world.” The COVID-19 pandemic has created a heightened feeling of “health insecurity,” especially toward large gatherings, which have more potential to spread the virus. For events to resume in a safe way, planners will be required to have rigorous plans to prevent, detect and respond to potential outbreaks.
PREVENTION
The most effective method to prevent the spread of illness is to manage who can attend. Having a strong sick attendee policy as part of your registration terms is critical. Evaluate any current policies in place and add specific language for the coronavirus. Consider how you will address and potentially compensate a variety of scenarios, including:
> What happens if an attendee doesn’t pass a temperature check with TSA or at event check-in?
> What if an attendee falls ill before the event and quarantine is required?
> What is your policy if an attendee gets sick while onsite?
Leveraging IoT and automation will also be fundamental. Consider technology that tracks the amount of people in a specific space or when two or more individuals breach the recommended safe distance. If the number gets too high or the people too close, an alert can be sent to the proper channels.
DETECTION
Monitoring
Discuss what your recommendation will be for mask wearing and how you’ll conduct no-contact infrared temperature checks to monitor symptoms throughout the event. Strategically consider where and when to post your people so your attendees always feel safe and secure. Pay extra attention to high-risk areas like check-in desks or times when large groups gather before a general session or trade show.
On-Site Health Professionals/Testing
Consider having dedicated on-site health professionals test for flu, coronavirus and any other contagions. At a minimum, have knowledge of nearby clinics and a procedure in place if an attendee needs to seek testing or treatment.
RESPONSE
Medical
In the event of a medical emergency, how should staff contact emergency services for assistance? Which of your on-site team members should be immediately notified? If someone tests positive and is advised to quarantine, where will they be advised to go? Should they stay in their room and wait for a doctor or visit the nearest medical facility? Contact tracing efforts can be greatly facilitated by technology should someone become ill. Consider creating an on-site contact list and chain of command for distribution that adheres to all HIPAA regulations.
Privacy
What is your privacy policy as it relates to on-site emergencies involving guests? What are your processes for communicating with them directly and with their emergency contacts? What is your communication plan if someone
tests positive for COVID-19? Securing in-case-of-emergency contact information and permissions during registration will allow you to compile and access the data from one central location.
You can't expect to hold an event if attendees are scared for their health. That means meetings and events can only come back when attendees feel comfortable enough to attend. So, a health risk mitigation plan is essential. The keys to good health risk mitigation are based on three elements: prevention, detection and response. All of the interventions you want to include in your health security plan will fall into one of these three categories.
By clearly laying out the steps you're taking to protect the health of every meeting stakeholder, you can give your attendees peace of mind knowing every action considers best means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the event, detecting when attendees are sick and being able to quickly respond and manage an outbreak, should it occur.