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I.PURPOSE: <br />Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) <br />Investigation Protocol <br />AnnexK <br />The purpose of this protocol is to establish the necessary procedures for the investigation of <br />suspected outbreaks and clusters of communicable diseases , and environmental public health <br />hazards to ensure timely investigations. The investigation protocol delineates responsibilities as <br />well as steps to investigate the issue along with reporting requirements. <br />KCPHD will follow appropriate procedures and notification practices when investigating <br />complaints and reports of health problems and occupational public health hazards. KCPHD will <br />notify and provide direction to appropriate persons/agencies throughout the investigation <br />process. <br />II. SCOPE <br />This protocol applies to any incident in Kittitas County that requires investigation of suspected or <br />identified public health hazards. These hazards include environmental health incidents as well as <br />disease reports. Investigations may range from investigating a suspected case patient, to a cluster <br />(3 patients), or potential outbreak (5 patients). A cluster evaluation may be differentiated from <br />an outbreak in that a single case of some infectious disease may trigger the use of outbreak <br />protocol. <br />III. PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS <br />KCPHD does not have the capacity, beyond initial response and assessment, to conduct <br />additional studies or etiological investigations. <br />KCPHD cannot conduct multiple, simultaneous in-person investigations due to limited <br />personnel. KCPHD Administrator, Health Officer, or Supervisory staff may assign employees to <br />investigate incidents, even if the nature of said incidents are outside the normal purview of the <br />responding staff. For example, non-medical staff may conduct phone interviews in regard to <br />infectious disease exposure. <br />Depending on the nature of the investigation, KCPHD may involve KSCO or Code Enforcement <br />to assist with compliance issues. <br />III. RESPONSIBIL TIES: <br />A. KCPHD will be responsible for the following activities as the lead investigative agency for <br />public health hazards or diseases: <br />107