Infectious Disease Emergency Planning – Lessons Learned March 2003 Donna Lazorik, MS, RN Massachusetts Department of Public Health

351 local health departments MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergency Planning - Assumptions Most of the impact and most of the response will be local Integrated, non-categorical approach is best MDPH

What is an infectious disease emergency? Influenza Pandemic Bioterrorism Hepatitis A in a food handler N. meningitidis in a school Something we haven’t thought of MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergency Planning - Goals Ability to respond to any infectious disease emergency Enhanced public health infrastructure MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Established relationships Clear roles Clear lines of authority Clear lines of communication Preferably in writing MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Coordinated communication Facilitate response Minimize panic MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Effective surveillance Ability to rapidly detect an infectious disease emergency MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Flexible surge capacity Hospitals Workforce Communication systems MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Educated public and responders Effective response Minimize panic MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergencies Effective Response Regionalization Shared resources Shared expertise MDPH

Local Infectious Disease Emergency Planning Pandemic Bioterrroism Nuclear Hep A Meninge Measles Natural Chem Man made MDPH

Local Infectious Disease Emergency Planning Template for Local Planning for Infectious Disease Emergencies Infectious Disease Emergency Tabletop MDPH

Enhance surveillance for flu and rash illness Initiatives to Enhance Immunization Program and Prepare for Emergencies Enhance surveillance for flu and rash illness Full-time influenza epidemiologist Full-time rash illness epidemiologist MDPH

Develop Cadre of Trained Volunteers Initiatives to Enhance Immunization Program and Prepare for Emergencies Develop Cadre of Trained Volunteers Assist with administration of vaccine Staff hotlines Met needs of people in their homes MDPH

Outreach to special populations Initiatives to Enhance Immunization Program and Prepare for Emergencies Outreach to special populations Non-English speaking Ethnic communities Homeless and homebound People with disabilities MDPH

Important Elements in Local Infectious Disease Emergency Planning Strong relationships with emergency response, public safety and medical folks Clear and mutual understanding of everyone’s role MDPH

Important Elements in Local Infectious Disease Emergency Planning Contingency plans for high absenteeism Cadre of trained volunteers Plan for emergency vaccination/medication clinics MDPH

What to look out for in emergency planning Assumption that everyone is on the same page Different terms and concepts among different disciplines Too many spokesmen MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergency Planning - Benefits Increased resources Educated workforce Effective response in an emergency MDPH

Infectious Disease Emergency Planning - Benefits People talking to each other “It’s not the plan, it’s the planning” MDPH

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