Integrating an incident command system and business continuity into a healthcare response to a flu pandemic and other infectious disease emergencies

A coordinated health system response to a pandemic influenza will require a command and control process embedded in the health system. This paper will show how systemising command and control by using an incident command system in an emergency operations centre, along with business continuity through integration of public health operations with acute care operations, will create a manageable response and a proven framework to achieve a coordinated response to competing complex issues.