Disaster Exercises – Using NLM’s Disaster Tools & Apps Jen Pakiam February 12, 2015

NLM’s Disaster Tools/Apps WISER/CHEMM REMM Digital Pen ReUnite Hazmat/CBRN tool/app for first responders, EMS, medical professionals Tool/app giving guidance on clinical diagnosis and treatment of radiation injuries during radiological and nuclear emergencies Pen with embedded camera to capture writing on specialized paper forming a digital copy A post-disaster family reunification tool – report or search for missing or found persons on NLM’s People Locator site

Our Disaster Exercise Idea Strong Earthquake Widespread damage to buildings & infrastructure Chem/bio/rad research labs Nuclear power station Major hospitals Many dead & large number of casualties Need to evacuate injured & deceased to surrounding areas for treatment &/or identification

Disaster Exercise

Why have such a ridiculous disaster scenario? To showcase our tools. Because if it’s ridiculous… you’re more likely to remember it!

Disaster Exercise Structure Earthquake info: Gather some info about earthquake injuries, etc. to prepare for what you can expect & what resources you’ll need. 3 Tool Stations: Substance Identification – WISER & REMM Patient Triage – Digital Pen Patient ID & Family Reunification – ReUnite Create sitrep & send to Incident Commander Emergency communication Hot Wash What we learned about the tools Pros/cons Any ideas/improvements

Task Sheets Role Instructions – how to use that tool Tasks - things you’d like the participants to do Things to think about section

Collect Earthquake Injury Information Role: Part of team about to receive victims in the hospital Tasks: – Start collecting earthquake injury-related information – What equipment, supplies, specialists will be needed? Prepare.

Substance Identification Section WISER’s Help Identify feature - for chemical exposures REMM – medical treatment procedures for the radionuclides released from labs & nuclear power plant Determine : – PPE – Decontamination – Treatment info – Protective distance map

Patient Triage + Patient ID/Family Reunification Sections Patient Triage (Digital Pen) How to use the pen Special paper/forms Demonstrate digital copy & summary info Questions: – Advantages/disadvantages – Mass casualty considerations – Workable? Tablets & newer technologies Patient Identification/Family Reunification (ReUnite) Play with the app Enter records Search for victims Questions: – Advantages/disadvantages – PII concerns – Who can access the system vs. who should?

Persona Cards – Humor/Timely Add-ins

Persona Cards – continued…

Hot Wash 10-15mins at the end Discuss: – Tools/apps & their pros/cons – How they think they could improve the procedures in their institution/organization – The exercise itself – what worked/didn’t work Feedback

Size of Groups For larger groups (15-30 people) – Each group specializes in one tool/app – Report on group findings – Give time at the end for everyone to play with the other tools/apps – Hot wash – discuss pros/cons or any ideas For small groups (4-10 people) – Everyone goes through the stations together – Hot wash – discuss pros/cons or any ideas

General Exercise Structure - Considerations Think about : Number of participants Number of helpers Room size Audience type(s) Length of time for exercise Equipment supply – – Provided by institution/organization – BYOD – Download apps before exercise starts Add some humor/something timely Be flexible – go with the energy in the room

Questions/Comments?

Contact Information Jen Pakiam