Monitoring the Health of Public Health Responders: Development and Use of the Responder Safety, Tracking, and Resilience System (R-STaR) for Hurricane Matthew

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alezandria K. Turner ◽  
Laura Edison ◽  
Karl Soetebier ◽  
Wendy Smith ◽  
Cherie Drenzek
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Mobile Platforms ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
Survey Responses

ABSTRACTOn October 7, 2016, Hurricane Matthew traveled along the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina causing flooding and power outages. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) developed the Web-based Responder Safety, Tracking, and Resilience (R-STaR) system to monitor the health and safety of public health responders and to inform disaster response planning for Hurricane Matthew. Using R-STaR, responders (n = 126) were e-mailed a daily survey while deployed to document injuries or harmful exposures and a post-deployment survey on their post-deployment health and satisfaction with using R-STaR. DPH epidemiologists contacted responders reporting injuries or exposures to determine the need for medical care. Frequencies were tabulated for quantitative survey responses, and qualitative data were summarized into key themes. Five percent (6/126) of responders reported injuries, and 81% (43/53) found R-STaR easy to use. Suggestions for R-STaR improvement included improving accessibility using mobile platforms and conducting pre-event training of responders on R-STaR. Lessons learned from R-STaR development and evaluation can inform the development and improvement of responder health surveillance systems at other local and state health departments and disaster and emergency response agencies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:74–81).

scholarly journals (P1-21) Medical Disaster Relief after the 2009 American Samoan Tsunami: Lessons Learned

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s105-s106
Author(s):  
R. Partridge ◽  
D.B. Bouslough ◽  
L. Proano ◽  
S. Soliai-lemusu ◽  
F. Avegalio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
American Samoan ◽  
Post Disaster

BackgroundTsunamis most commonly occur in the “Ring of fire” in the Pacific due to frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity. Damaging tsunamis occur 1–2 times yearly. On September 29, 2009, an earthquake on the Pacific floor caused a tsunami that struck American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga, with only 20 minutes warning.ObjectiveTo evaluate the disaster response in American Samoa by emergency medical services (EMS), the territorial hospital, and the Department of Health.MethodsA retrospective review of EMS logs, public health records, hospital emergency department charts, and key-informant interviews over a 2-week period. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate data.ResultsThree 5-meter waves struck the American Samoan islands, with land inundation as far as 700 meters. Many low- lying villages, including the capital city Pago Pago were affected. A total of 33 people (8 male, 23 female, including 3 children) were killed by the water, with approximately 150 significantly injured. EMS runs increased 250% from normal daily averages, with island-wide responses significantly delayed by flood damage. The hospital in Pago Pago, situated near the shore and only 10 meters above sea level, utilized 75 staff to evacuate 68 in-patients to high ground as soon as tremors were felt. This process was completed in 20 minutes with no associated morbidity or mortality. Patient injury patterns for the event are similar to recent literature reports. Mobile clinics and alternate care sites established at outlying dispensaries were used to decentralize healthcare from the hospital. DMAT/DMORT teams from Oregon and Hawaii supported local healthcare initiatives. Post-disaster public health surveillance focused on identifying and limiting food/water-borne illnesses, dengue fever, and influenza-like-illness outbreaks, as well as disaster related PTSD.ConclusionThe disaster response to the tsunami in American Samoa was effective. Disaster planning was appropriate and rapidly implemented. Post-disaster public health emergencies were minimized.

Automating a program for the evidence-based reimbursement of oncology drugs across a complex network: Benefits and challenges.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
John Gilks ◽  
Marta Yurcan ◽  
Tim Yardley ◽  
Scott Gavura ◽  
Vishal Kukreti
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Funding Program ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Ordering Systems ◽  
Future Work

39 Background: Ontario hospitals are reimbursed for IV chemotherapy through Cancer Care Ontario’s (CCO) New Drug Funding Program (NDFP). By 2009, 54 indications (annual budget $195MM) were managed through largely paper based processes. A new web based system (eClaims) was developed focusing on clinic workflow and integration to chemotherapy ordering systems. Interfaces were developed for CCO’s OPIS and commercial systems (HL7v3). eClaims provides users with clinical best practice, pre-approval, immediate adjudication and simple means of tracking outstanding claims. The benefits and challenges are described. Methods: Evaluation used several strategies: debriefs after each deployment; post-go live user surveys and lessons learned workshops. Results: eClaims was deployed in 80 hospitals over two years. At most sites (50/80) treatment data flows from CPOE systems to eClaims in near real time. Over 50% of claims are machine adjudicated. Newly approved indications can be posted within hours. The main learnings during the deployment process were the need to understand and adjust for hospital specific factors and the unique business relationships among clusters of hospitals. Survey responses were received at a 19% response rate. The later deployment groups reported greater satisfaction than earlier adopters with more positive responses in all categories. Workshop key theme was the need to match complex clinical workflows with design/build processes. Secondly, evaluation of historical data before migration is necessary. Conclusions: Introducing an application into complex, varied clinical workflows is difficult. The phased approach to deployment and evaluation worked, allowing for increasingly smooth go lives. Future work revolves around balancing user needs through eClaims modifications vs simplifying clinical processes to make the tool more usable.

scholarly journals What did Syndromic Surveillance Show During London 2012? Lessons for Mass Gatherings

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Todkill ◽  
Helen Hughes ◽  
Alex Elliot ◽  
Roger Morbey ◽  
Obaghe Edeghere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Practitioner ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Mass Gathering ◽  
Daily Number ◽  
Mass Gatherings ◽  
London 2012 ◽  
The Impact

This paper investigates the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on syndromic surveillance systems coordinated by Public Health England. The Games had very little obvious impact on the daily number of ED attendances and general practitioner consultations both nationally, and within London. These results provide valuable lessons learned for future mass gathering events.

scholarly journals Ten considerations for conservation policy makers for the post-COVID-19 transition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Cooke ◽  
Peter Soroye ◽  
J.L. Brooks ◽  
J. Clarke ◽  
Amanda L. Jeanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Conservation Policy ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Public health and safety concerns around the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly changed human behaviour. Such shifts in behaviours including travel patterns, consumerism, and energy use, are variously impacting biodiversity during the human-dominated geological epoch known as the Anthropocene. Indeed, the dramatic reduction in human mobility and activity has been termed the "Anthropause". COVID-19 has highlighted the current environmental and biodiversity crisis and has provided an opportunity to redefine our relationship with nature. Here we share 10 considerations for conservation policy makers to support and rethink the development of impactful and effective policies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are opportunities to leverage societal changes as a result of COVID-19, focus on the need for collaboration and engagement, and address lessons learned through the development of policies (including those related to public health) during the pandemic. The pandemic has had devastating impacts on humanity that should not be understated, but it is also a warning that we need to redefine our relationship with nature and restore biodiversity. The considerations presented here will support the development of robust, evidence-based, and transformative policies for biodiversity conservation in a post-COVID-19 world.

Lack of Alignment in Emergency Response by Systems and the Public: A Dutch Disaster Health Literacy Case Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Kristine Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Public ◽  
Twitter Data ◽  
Areas Of Concern

ABSTRACT Objective: Disaster health literacy is vital for emergency medicine and public health preparedness. Conversely, how health and safety information is communicated has a significant impact on disaster health literacy. A lack of alignment between the disaster response and the public’s reaction was apparent during a Dutch chemical incident. This case study aims to provide insights into why that misalignment occurred. Methods: The case study used readily available Twitter data. The tweets represented both the public and the authorities. The tweets were coded, thematically categorised, analysed, and synthesised to generate an explanatory framework describing the obstacles experienced during the emergency. Results: The analysis identified four areas of concern with regards to the lack of alignment between the authorities and the public: the alert of the chemical incident, the inadequate communication, the problematic disaster management, and the insufficient disaster health literacy. Conclusion: The case study showed shortcomings in communication and a lack of alignment in the emergency response of the authorities as well as the public’s disaster health literacy. Immediate action points were apparent, and a more profound evaluation is recommended to avoid further escalation of an emergency in the future. Trust needs to be built before the next incident strikes.

Engaged, overextended, or burned out: What is the state of the disaster response workforce?

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
Kelsey L. Merlo, PhD ◽  
Kayla C. Jones, MA ◽  
Katrina M. Conen, BA ◽  
Elizabeth A. Dunn, MPH, CPH ◽  
Blake L. Scott, MPH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
System Level ◽  
Personal Efficacy ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Survey Responses

The prolonged coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and co-occurring disasters during 2020 took a toll on everyone, taxing public health and disaster management personnel particularly. This initial study evaluated levels of exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy among a broad array of the disaster workforce responding to these events through an online survey. Responses were compared to normative standards from an international dataset using a one-sample t-test and described using k-means cluster analysis. Results from 111 emergency management and disaster services, public health, healthcare, first responders, and other professionals and volunteers indicated high levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, along with high levels of personal efficacy compared to normative samples. Perceptions of the heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 were significantly associated with increased emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Cluster analysis results indicated three different patterns of burnout: half of the respondents were overextended (high levels of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and efficacy) or burned out (high emotional exhaustion and cynicism, low efficacy), while 50 percent were engaged (low emotional exhaustion, low cynicism, and high personal efficacy). This suggests that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial proportion of the disaster response workforce is still thriving. However, a large proportion is burned out or at high risk (overextended). Limitations of this study include a lack of diversity in the sample, which, although similar to the demographic characteristics of the emergency manager population, may limit the generalizability of the study results. System-level planners can use this information to develop comprehensive workforce approaches, policies, and procedures to prevent burnout for these essential personnel working behind the scenes.

scholarly journals Responding to Natural and Industrial Disasters: Partnerships and Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Elaine Symanski ◽  
Heyreoun An Han ◽  
Inkyu Han ◽  
Michelle McDaniel ◽  
Kristina W. Whitworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Multidisciplinary Group ◽  
Rapid Deployment ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide insights learned from disaster research response (DR2) efforts following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 to launch DR2 activities following the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire in Deer Park, Texas, in 2019. Methods: A multidisciplinary group of academic, community, and government partners launched a myriad of DR2 activities. Results: The DR2 response to Hurricane Harvey focused on enhancing environmental health literacy around clean-up efforts, measuring environmental contaminants in soil and water in impacted neighborhoods, and launching studies to evaluate the health impact of the disaster. The lessons learned after Harvey enabled rapid DR2 activities following the ITC fire, including air monitoring and administering surveys and in-depth interviews with affected residents. Conclusions: Embedding DR2 activities at academic institutions can enable rapid deployment of lessons learned from one disaster to enhance the response to subsequent disasters, even when those disasters are different. Our experience demonstrates the importance of academic institutions working with governmental and community partners to support timely disaster response efforts. Efforts enabled by such experience include providing health and safety training and consistent and reliable messaging, collecting time-sensitive and critical data in the wake of the event, and launching research to understand health impacts and improve resiliency.

scholarly journals Surveillance Systems that Include Deprivation Indices & Social Determinants of Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran Moore ◽  
Paul Belanger
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Information Management System ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Information Portal ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Interactive Workshop

This roundtable session will involve a hands-on, interactive workshop where participants will be taught how to use three web-based surveillance tools (Public Health Information Management System, Social Determinants of Health Mapper, and South Eastern Integrated Information Portal). The tools apply deprivation and marginalization indices, as well as other environmental and geographic layers, to virtual maps. With the help of these tools, the user will be able to easily track vulnerable populations. The layers available in the tools, and how they apply to specific geographic areas, are important to consider when making public health decisions so as to improve health equity and act on social determinants of health.

scholarly journals Avatar Web-Based Self-Report Survey System Technology for Public Health Research: Technical Outcome Results and Lessons Learned

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Savel ◽  
Stan Mierzwa ◽  
Pamina M Gorbach ◽  
Samir Souidi ◽  
Michelle Lally ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Survey System ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Self Report Data

This paper reports on a specific Web-based self-report data collection system that was developed for a public health research study in the United States. Our focus is on technical outcome results and lessons learned that may be useful to other projects requiring such a solution. The system was accessible from any device that had a browser that can support HTML5. Report findings include: which hardware devices, Web browsers, and operating systems were used, the rate of survey completion, and key considerations for employing Web-based surveys in a clinical trial setting. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document