OEP Newsletter: October 28, 2002

October 28, 2002

In this issue:

Local Planning Update from Robert Einweck

I wanted to thank Olmsted County for the excellent work on the “Community Bioterrorism Table Top Exercise” they conducted on October 16, at the Mayo Civic Center. The table top was planned by the Olmsted County Public Health Disaster Response Advisory Group (PHDRAG). The objectives of the exercise were to identify the level of preparedness (strengths/weaknesses), test current command structure and test situations that involve PHDRAG work groups. The exercise attendees included the Olmsted County Public Health, Red Cross, law enforcement, Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, schools, Division of Emergency Management, National Guard, FBI, MDH and various other community groups.

The format of the exercise was a role play called “The First Cases” where Olmsted County Public Health demonstrated what would happen in the initial stage of a disease investigation. The next stage of the exercise divided people into organizational groups, including the Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Medical Center, Olmsted County Public Health Services and the Emergency Operations Center to react to a scenario in which an outbreak occurs. Participants, were asked to answer questions pertaining to their professional responsibilities during a public health emergency. The afternoon session took a different approach, where participants were asked to address various issues such as finance, communication, legal and other topics. The groups then discussed the next steps for continued community planning.

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Planning and Training Update

The MDH has contacted the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) Emergency Training Center to discuss the possibility of a four to six hour MIMS overview training conducted through satellite broadcast. Pending final negotiations with MNSCU, the MDH is intending to implement this MIMS training by the end of the year. The training course will not provide you with MIMS certification, but it will help you understand the basics. Following that satellite course, we will be working with MNSCU to provide the 16 hour certification course for those who need it. There is no requirement that you or your staff be certified. However, you may be better able to determine that need following the overview.

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ACIP Releases New Smallpox Vaccine Recommendations

There has been much media attention around the issue of vaccinating public health and health care workers against smallpox. In June 2001, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made recommendations for the use of smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine to protect persons who work with orthopoxviruses, to prepare for a possible bioterrorism attack, and to respond to an attack involving smallpox. This recommendation was followed in June 2002 with draft supplemental recommendations that extended the ACIP's smallpox vaccination recommendation to include people designated to respond or care for a suspected or confirmed case of smallpox. Specifically, the ACIP recommended voluntary vaccination of people serving on what subsequently have been designated as; 1. “Smallpox Public Health Response Teams” and
2. “Smallpox Health Care Teams.”

The June 2002 draft supplemental smallpox vaccine recommendations also clarified and expanded the primary strategy for control and containment of smallpox in the event of an outbreak.

In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked the ACIP to provide additional guidance on eight smallpox vaccination implementation issues, including the scope and composition of the Smallpox Health Care Teams. The eight issues were:

1. types of healthcare workers that should included in Smallpox Health Care Teams;

2. care of the smallpox vaccination site;

3. need for administrative leave for vaccinated healthcare workers;

4. screening for atopic dermatitis as a contraindication for vaccination;

5. screening for pregnancy as a contraindication for smallpox vaccination;

6. screening for HIV infection as a contraindication for smallpox vaccination;

7. simultaneous administration of smallpox vaccines with other vaccines; and

8. vaccination of smallpox vaccinators.

The ACIP’s recommendations reflect consultation with CDC's Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and DHHS's National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). The ACIP recommendations were forwarded to HICPAC for their review and consideration on October 22 and 23, 2002. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee provides advice and guidance to CDC and DHHS regarding infection control practices and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of health care—associated infections (e.g., nosocomial infections), antimicrobial resistance and related events in settings where healthcare is provided (e.g., hospitals, long—term care facilities, and home health agencies).

In the coming weeks, the joint ACIP—HICPAC recommendations will be forwarded to CDC and DHHS for their review and consideration.

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Environmental Health Resources and Roles

During a natural disaster or other emergency, such as a terrorist attack, the primary role of Minnesota’s Environmental Health system is to provide services essential for protecting and ensuring the well being of the people in affected areas, with an emphasis on prevention and control of communicable diseases.

A number of resources have been developed by the MDH Environmental Health Division that may be of interest to you as you undertake your planning activities. These materials are available online at: Disasters and Emergencies

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New OEP Web Workspace and New Health Alert Network

Web Workspace—What is it?

We all have a lot of work to do with the bioterrorism grant. OEP’s new Web Workspace will provide a place for us to get some of that work done quickly and efficiently. We are building a new, more secure, more reliable password protected site for the OEP workspace that will be completed in the spring of 2003. Until then, we are using the old HAN password protected Web site as a home for these Web tools. Local public health agencies have already used one tool in the workspace, the bioterrorism grant contact list. We’re working on another to identify sites for mass clinics. We plan to have Web—based assessment, planning, and response tools on the site and organize them in a way that gives each local public health agency a personalized workspace.

Web Workspace—Some examples

The workspace may be used for:

  • surveys

  • data gathering on preparedness

  • planning templates

  • document drafts not ready for public release

  • budget sheets

  • discussion boards where you can compare notes with other agencies on particular issues

We look to you for suggestions for other useful tools you would like to see on the workspace. What would help you as you work through the bioterrorism grant duties?

Health Alert Network—Do we need a new system?

The short answer is YES! Although it works, the current method we use to send alerts is time consuming and involves a great deal of manual work. Our new system, which we hope to start using second quarter 2003, will automate much of the process. The amount of maintenance we need to do will be cut by over 90%. We are building in workflow, flexibility, and fail-safe systems. Users will be able to receive and respond to our Health Alert messages by pager, phone, fax, and wireless email. You may not notice much difference in how HAN works for you, and we’ll keep you advised about any changes. Part of HAN’s responsibility under the bioterrorism grant is to build redundant, fail—safe systems that ensure our ability to communicate with local public health, emergency departments, and law enforcement regardless of the circumstances. The new system will move us quite far toward that goal.

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Risk Communication Update

A summary of Dr. Peter Sandman’s presentation at the September 12 Community Health Conference is now available on the Risk Communications page of the OEP website, posted with the permission of Dr. Sandman.

We also want to call your attention to an upcoming six—part satellite/distance learning program on Emergency and Crisis Risk Communication, which is being offered by the University of Alabama. The first segment in the series is scheduled for November 5.

Satellite coordinates will be provided when you register for the series.

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