scholarly journals Leveraging Local and Regional Partners to Implement Hospital Closed Point of Dispensing Sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Daniel Baker ◽  
Sara Paton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Community Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Response Planning

Background: Point of dispensing (POD) sites are critical to local public health agencies (LPHA) when an emergen-cy occurs requiring medications or vaccinations. Delivering medical countermeasures (MCM) ensures community support mechanisms and the general public are provided with a pharmaceutical intervention to limit untoward outcomes caused by the emergency. While LPHAs are required to have an MCM response plan, these plans vary based on jurisdictional size and geographical location in Ohio. This study evaluated the implementation potential of an MCM toolkit developed for LPHAs and hospitals across Ohio. Methods: An MCM toolkit was created consisting of planning resources, training modules, sample exercises, and custom graphics. The toolkit was evaluated using Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs by public health, hospital, hospital association, and emergency management professionals across Ohio by an electronic sur-vey and phone interview. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to determine overall implementation potential. Results: Thirty-eight (n=38) respondents with jurisdictional influence over 44 Ohio counties participated. Electronic survey results demonstrated high implementation potential for the MCM toolkit (weighted average 4.71/5.00). Phone interviews highlighted: (1) jurisdictional and regionalized planning approaches were necessary for MCM delivery, and (2) hospitals should function as closed POD sites for jurisdictional LPHAs. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the importance of MCM response planning for LPHAs and hospitals. Imple-mentation and planning materials for this work could be adopted into practice by LPHAs and hospitals across the United States to further assist in emergency preparedness planning.

Building a National Model of Public Mental Health Preparedness and Community Resilience: Validation of a Dual-Intervention, Systems-Based Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Lee McCabe ◽  
Natalie L. Semon ◽  
Carol B. Thompson ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lating ◽  
George S. Everly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Preparedness Planning

AbstractObjectiveWorking within a series of partnerships among an academic health center, local health departments (LHDs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), we validated companion interventions to address community mental health planning and response challenges in public health emergency preparedness.MethodsWe implemented the project within the framework of an enhanced logic model and employed a multi-cohort, pre-test/post-test design to assess the outcomes of 1-day workshops in psychological first aid (PFA) and guided preparedness planning (GPP). The workshops were delivered to urban and rural communities in eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. Intervention effectiveness was based on changes in relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) and on several behavioral indexes.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in self-reported and objectively measured KSAs across all cohorts. Additionally, GPP teams proved capable of producing quality drafts of basic community disaster plans in 1 day, and PFA trainees confirmed upon follow-up that their training proved useful in real-world trauma contexts. We documented examples of policy and practice changes at the levels of local and state health departments.ConclusionsGiven appropriate guidance, LHDs and FBOs can implement an effective and potentially scalable model for promoting disaster mental health preparedness and community resilience, with implications for positive translational impact.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;8:511-526)

Public Policy Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Blood Supply in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e7
Author(s):  
William Riley ◽  
Kailey Love ◽  
Jeffrey McCullough
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Blood Supply ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated an acute blood shortage for medical transfusions, exacerbating an already tenuous blood supply system in the United States, contributing to the public health crisis, and raising deeper questions regarding emergency preparedness planning for ensuring blood availability. However, these issues around blood availability during the pandemic are related primarily to the decline in supply caused by reduced donations during the pandemic rather than increased demand for transfusion of patients with COVID-19. The challenges to ensure a safe blood supply during the pandemic will continue until a vaccine is developed, effective treatments are available, or the virus goes away. If this virus or a similar virus were capable of transmission through blood, it would have a catastrophic impact on the health care system, causing a future public health emergency that would jeopardize the national blood supply. In this article, we identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood supply adequacy, discuss the public health implications, propose recovery strategies, and present recommendations for preparing for the next disruption in blood supply driven by a public health emergency. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 18, 2021: e1–e7. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306157 )

scholarly journals A Meaningful Journey to Onboard Syndromic Data through a Local HIE

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Johnson ◽  
Jessica Yen ◽  
Brit Colanter ◽  
Eric McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Health Information Exchange ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Meaningful Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies

This presentation aims to highlight key activities, technical approaches, data discoveries, lessons learned and outcomes achieved while onboarding local hospitals for syndromic Meaningful Use Stage 2 through a local health information exchange. The federal meaningful use initiative is currently a major driver to enable greater establishment of syndromic surveillance capacity across the United States. The role and efforts by local and state public health agencies in the syndromic onboarding process varies greatly. We describe efforts from a local public health agency to onboard, validate and integrate meaningful use syndromic information.

scholarly journals Community engagement in public health emergency preparedness

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Takacs ◽  
M Ciotti ◽  
S Tsolova ◽  
E Wiltshire ◽  
A Baka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Preventive Practices

Abstract Background Communities that could be affected by infectious disease outbreaks are increasingly recognised as resources that may be effectively utilized by the authorities during public health emergencies. Methods This case study project, aiming to identify synergies between communities and authorities, was based on qualitative sources of evidence, including document and media review, stakeholder mapping, interviews and FGDs (N = 137). Four countries were selected for inclusion: Spain and the Netherlands on the basis of emerging tick-born disease incidents; Iceland and Ireland on the basis of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks. Results In the Netherlands and Spain strong synergies were identified in tick surveillance activities, and the value of pre-existing networks of interest groups for preparedness and response activities was recognised. The Icelandic norovirus event was unexpected and fast-moving, while VTEC in Ireland is a familiar and slower-burning challenge. As a relatively common disease in Ireland, VTEC-protocols are closely followed, while a generic all-hazards approach was taken in Iceland. There was considerable community support in the responses in both countries., and in Iceland community representatives also actively participated in producing institutional post-event evaluations. Conclusions An over-riding principle emerging from this study is that an informed, at-risk community understands the challenges to adopting effective preventive practices for themselves better than anyone. Additional good practices included the utilisation of pre-existing stakeholder networks for information dissemination; and of monitoring community perceptions of any public health incident, including through social media, in order to identify and manage misperceptions. Efforts to build on the community engagement activities that are already in place in the four countries could contribute to better preparedness planning and more efficient and timely responses in future outbreaks. Key messages Recognise the community as a real partner in outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery. Optimise communications with communities who may be affected by outbreaks.

scholarly journals Controlling Tuberculosis in the United States: Use of Isolation and Other Measures Throughout the Country

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Katz ◽  
Andrea Vaught
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Evidentiary Standards ◽  
Depth Interviews

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to better understand the tools used by public health officials in the control of tuberculosis (TB).MethodsWe conducted a series of in-depth interviews with public health officials at the local, state, and federal levels to better understand how health departments around the country use isolation measures to control TB.ResultsState and local public health officials’ use of social distancing tools in infection control varies widely, particularly in response to handling noncompliant patients. Judicial and community support, in addition to financial resources, impacted the incentives and enablers used to maintain isolation of infectious TB patients.ConclusionsInstituting social distancing requires authorities and resources and can be impacted by evidentiary standards, risk assessments, political will, and community support. Awareness of these factors, as well as knowledge of state and local uses of social distancing measures, is essential to understanding what actions are most likely to be instituted during a public health emergency and to target interventions to better prepare health departments to utilize the best available tools necessary to control the spread of disease. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:337–342)

Use of the Community Assessment for Public Health Response (CASPER) Method by Public Health Agencies in Texas, 2001-2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 680-684
Author(s):  
Kayla Cross ◽  
Jennifer A. Horney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Community Assessment ◽  
Grant Application ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Public Health Staff

AbstractObjectivesThe use of the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) method in disaster and non-disaster settings continues to grow. While CASPERs flexibility has been well demonstrated, the documentation of specific actions that have resulted from the utilization of CASPER data has been limited. We attempted to document changes in emergency preparedness planning and policy based on CASPER data.MethodsWritten reports from 19 CASPERs conducted in Texas between 2001 and 2015 were collected. Key informant interviews were conducted with 9 public health staff knowledgeable about the CASPERs. Written reports and interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for themes.ResultsFew specific outcomes could be documented beyond a single successful grant application. Respondents felt CASPER data was not duplicative and was useful for improving existing plans. CASPER is seen as an effective way to enhance relationships with communities and partnerships with agencies including Emergency Management.ConclusionAs the use of CASPER grows, it is increasingly important to document any specific and measurable benefits, actions, and changes to planning or policy taken as the result of data collected using the CASPER method. Without measurable outputs and outcomes, support for the use of CASPER from decision-makers may begin to wane. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:680-684)

scholarly journals International Perspectives on COVID-19 Communication Ecologies: Public Health Agencies’ Online Communication in Italy, Sweden, and the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422199283
Author(s):  
Serena Tagliacozzo ◽  
Frederike Albrecht ◽  
N. Emel Ganapati
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Communication Ecology ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
National Public Health

Communicating during a crisis can be challenging for public agencies as their communication ecology becomes increasingly complex while the need for fast and reliable public communication remains high. Using the lens of communication ecology, this study examines the online communication of national public health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Sweden, and the United States. Based on content analysis of Twitter data ( n = 856) and agency press releases ( n = 95), this article investigates two main questions: (1) How, and to what extent, did national public health agencies coordinate their online communication with other agencies and organizations? (2) How was online communication from the agencies diversified in terms of targeting specific organizations and social groups? Our findings indicate that public health agencies relied heavily on internal scientific expertise and predominately coordinated their communication efforts with national government agencies. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that agencies in each country differed in how they diversify information; however, all agencies provided tailored information to at least some organizations and social groups. Across the three countries, information tailored for several vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and homeless populations) was largely absent, which may contribute to negative consequences for these groups.

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