National Bioterrorism Hospital

Preparedness Program

February 28, 2008

COLUMBIA , Mo. – The National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program is ensuring that busy health care professionals are aware of institutional and state policies regarding disasters. After a successful first year, the Nursing Outreach and Distance Education (NODE) office is gearing up for another year-long series of topics.

The extension arm of the Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) hosted 31 sites in 2007; and once again they are bringing this program to various health care settings throughout the state in 2008.

“During the last 10 to 15 years, our nation has had to react to incidents that directly involve public-health issues,” said Shirley Farrah, assistant dean for NODE and assistant teaching professor. “The health care professionals in Missouri have to have a workable plan that individuals know about to deal with scenarios such as a bombing like we saw in Oklahoma City, potential chemical and hazardous spills on Interstate 70 and a disaster plan if the New Madrid fault shifts.”

The 2008 topics include:

•  ESSENCE
Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community Based Epidemics Emergency Network (ESSENCE) and the Hospital Electronic Syndromic Surveillance (HESS) data feed that it uses.

•  Psychological aspects of disaster
Discussion on how to handle the emotional needs in the emergency room as care is needed in an emergency event. Even if remotely involved, emergency rooms will be inundated with the “worried well;” those individuals who, whether at the scene or the hospital, are concerned for themselves or loved ones.

•  Multiple casualties
Multiple casualties are challenging due to limited capacity of hospitals, and with conventional explosives being used by terrorists multiple casualties are a real threat. Discussions about how health care professionals triage this type of situation.

•  Medical response to a dirty bomb
The detection, scene care scene and communications are vital. Health care professionals h ave to be ready immediately to prevent contamination of the hospital, general response and detection, describe care of patients at the scene.

•  Pulmonary agent and chemical exposure
This session covers information on exposure to chlorine, cyanide, ammonia, etc. that could be a factor in train derailment, terrorist and explosive devices. It also covers organophosphates, chempack, and nerve agent exposure.

•  Tularemia
Recognition of tularemia illness and the prevalence in Missouri. Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacteria found in animals especially rodents, rabbits and hares.

“These topics are a unique blend that are focused and addressed by speakers who are the best in their field of study,” said Eddie Hedrick, emerging infections coordinator at DHSS. “ We are targeting an audience that can't take time off to attend conferences, but they need to keep improving their emergency preparedness in their local health care setting as well as keep their internal policies up to date.”

Another way the program is trying to remedy this scheduling conflict in 2008 is by offering the courses on-line. They can be found at www.heartlandcenters.com a fter the presentation date.

For more information on each session or to register, visit nursingoutreach.missouri.edu or 573-882-0215.

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