Planning and response activities related to H1N1 must be cognizant of and reflect stakeholder needs and expectations. Collaboration is essential as many different stakeholders have important roles to play in making decisions, implementing strategies, and ensuring their effectiveness. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recognizes that collaboration is critical and must be coordinated at the state level. Thus, the following activities were orchestrated by NYSDOH:
*At the onset of H1N1 in Spring 2009, the New York State Department of Health scheduled briefing calls with stakeholders who represented physicians, pediatricians, family physicians, obstetricians, community health centers, nurses, emergency physicians and pharmacists. During Fall 2009 and thereafter, these calls were convened on a biweekly basis to provide situational awareness and to address concerns and questions. This regular communication between New York State and its partners created a process for building consensus, receiving input, and collaborating on decisions that affected stakeholders.
*During Fall 2009, biweekly conference calls were convened with hospitals to provide situational awareness and to jointly solve problems facing healthcare facilities in the wake of H1N1. These briefing calls were of particular importance as they created an atmosphere of support that enabled information-sharing and agreement on strategies needed for hospitals to plan and respond to H1N1.
*During Fall and Winter 2009, biweekly conference calls were scheduled with long-term care, adult care, and hospice facilities to provide situational awareness. Since knowledge and levels of expertise differ within these facilities, it was important to engage these stakeholders throughout the pandemic. These calls created the support needed for long-term care agencies to garner the clinical expertise and tools needed to plan and respond effectively to H1N1.