OEP Newsletter: December 24, 2002

December 24, 2002

In this issue:

Smallpox Vaccination Clinic Planning

On December 9, 2002 the MDH submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Disease Prevention Minnesota’s plan for implementation of Phase I of a statewide smallpox vaccination program. On December 13, President Bush addressed the nation on the nation’s vaccination program. At this time no specific date for implementation of Phase I has been issued. Phase I includes a voluntary vaccination of a limited team of healthcare workers, public health workers, and selected public safety personnel. This translates into approximately 10,000 persons in Minnesota.

The MDH is waiting for guidance from the CDC on Phase II, which expands voluntary vaccination to include all healthcare workers, public health workers, first responders and public safety personnel. Phase III could be voluntary vaccination of the entire population, however, the federal government has made no decisions on the implementation of Phase III. For more information on smallpox planning, go to MDH Smallpox.

back to top

Smallpox Information Resource List

Listed below are websites containing smallpox resources. These will serve as a primary source of information regarding MDH and CDC smallpox planning activities.

MDH Home Page

MDH Smallpox Main Page: Information about the disease and vaccination MDH Smallpox

CDC Smallpox Main Page:
www.cdc.gov/smallpox

OEP Home Page
www.health.state.mn.us/oep

back to top

MMRS Tabletop

On December 11 the Minnesota Metropolitan Response System (MMRS) conducted a tabletop exercise at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Over 300 people participated in the exercise. The event was organized into various rooms including policy, operations, coordination, and a state/federal emergency operations center.

The tabletop was based on a fictitious flu like illnesses (determined to be a bioterrorism event) unfolding over a six—hour period. Updates were broadcast into the various rooms and participants were asked to respond as they would in a real emergency. The emergency and public health response systems used the exercise as opportunity to test their county, state and federal response plans.

back to top

Mental Health Subgroup

The Commissioner of Health’s Mental Subgroup met on December 6, 2002. The meeting focused on the mental health needs of health care workers, emergency responders and the public that are associated with smallpox vaccination planning. Various strategies were discussed to help reduce stress in the workplace and for the public.

Stress Prevention and Management

To help all of us cope with the increased stress during this period Candy Kragthorpe, MDH Mental Health Program Coordinator, has provided some helpful mental health strategies.

Physical and emotional reactions to planning for health threats are normal. Acknowledging, monitoring and preventing the effects of stress indicate a commitment to the quality of one’s work and are critical components of emergency planning for professionals working in these areas. Professionals need to be mindful of the need to adjust one’s approach to a changing and sometimes uncertain work environment and workload. Following are some organizational and individual approaches to preventing and managing stress.

  • Be factual, timely, clear and concise.

  • People need to know who to go to, for what, how, and when.

  • Supervisors are accessible, model stress prevention and management, and ensure staff has opportunities for stress reduction management. Nurture team support and offer frequent praise. Assess team functioning regularly.

  • Utilize Employee Assistance Programs or other resources from health plans or mental health providers to consult with staff and to identify needed areas of support. They are also sources of individual support and counseling.

  • Create a buddy system to support and monitor stress reactions among team members. Realize that one may not be able to accurately self-assess.

  • Create appropriate time and place for staff to talk about their work and their reactions to it. Provide for individual and group debriefing at the end of meetings, allowing for “decompression” and transitioning staff back to their work.

  • Manage workload with realistic expectations each day.

  • Maintain a balanced lifestyle with exercise, stretching, nutritious food, adequate sleep and breaks, avoiding excessive food, caffeine, alcohol or tobacco, and maintaining social contacts with supportive friends and family.

  • Practice stress reduction throughout the day: Breathe deeply, stretch and take walks, listen to music, purposefully calm your mind and think about something pleasing to you, and talk about your emotions and reactions with co-workers during breaks or debriefings.

  • Accept imperfection in oneself and in co—workers.

  • If possible, limit your exposure to the news media.

  • Monitor your own emotions and reactions. Tense? Frequent headaches? Angry often? Sad? Losing patience with co—workers?

  • Educate staff about signs and symptoms of stress and mental health problems. If one’s feelings are overwhelming or interfere with daily living, job performance and relationships, one should seek professional help.

Worrying is normal. Excessive worrying is not. Watch for the following symptoms that signal the need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

  • A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood

  • Sleeping too little or sleeping too much

  • Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

  • Restlessness or irritability

  • Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders)

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

  • Fatigue or loss of energy

  • Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

For a confidential depression-screening test, go to
www.depression-screening.org

We will continue to update this page with new information and resources in the weeks ahead.

back to top

Updated Monday, 22-Nov-2010 09:12:05 CST