From the Massachusetts Nurse Newsletter
April 2005 Edition
MNA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is offering bioterrorism preparedness modular presentation components.
BT agent presentation
The presentation on bioterrorism agents will include a general overview of the Category A agents, including anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. The overview will cover the characteristics of each agent, clinical description, reservoir, transmission, incubation period, infectious period, and general epidemiological features, such as the distribution or incidence in populations. The presentation will provide information regarding the reporting requirements and laboratory services available for confirmation. It will also identify the specific infection control measures for each agent, including the applicable isolation and quarantine requirements to contain person-to-person spread. The presentation will also identify the supporting role of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in outbreak management. Educational materials, such as relevant fact sheets for each agent, will be distributed.
The specific objectives for the overview of bioterrorism agents are:
- Describe the properties that make infectious diseases likely agents of bioterrorism
- Describe the epidemiological characteristics of Category A bioterrorism agents (anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers)
- Describe reporting requirements and laboratory testing services for Category A agents
- Identify infection control measures for Category A agents
- Review the MDPH role in outbreak management
Presentation credits 1.5 CMEs and 1.8 nursing contact hours.
Mass dispensing clinic presentation
The presentation will include a general overview of mass dispensing clinics. The overview will outline the various types of mass dispensing clinics, their potential use, as well as examples of previously planned and operated clinics. The presentation will outline the necessary components of a mass dispensing clinic such as potential locations, staffing, supplies, and auxiliary operational needs. It will focus on assisting participants in identifying resources within their communities to develop and run a clinic. The presentation will introduce the components of basic incident command as they apply to a mass dispensing clinic. Check lists for purpose of planning and implementing a mass dispensing clinic will be handed out to aid with the presentation.
The specific objectives for the overview of mass dispensing clinics are:
- State the need for a mass dispensing clinic
- Identify necessary components of a mass dispensing clinic
- Identify present resources available to operate a Mass dispensing clinic
- Identify potential community partners available to assist in planning and operation of a local mass dispensing clinic and discuss their individual roles
- Apply the principles of basic incident command during the operation of a mass dispensing clinic
Presentation credits 2.0 CMEs and 2.4 nursing contact hours.
Description of mass dispensing site: smallpox specific presentation
The presentation will include an overview including an outline of the current national and state smallpox preparedness program. It will outline the history of smallpox and smallpox vaccination. The program will review the principles of a mass dispensing site and the specific requirements of such a site with regards to smallpox vaccine administration. Participants will be instructed on pre and post event screening for smallpox vaccine administration, how to evaluate a vaccination "take" post vaccination, proper vaccination site care, and adverse events reporting. The presentation will review and provide hands on training with regards to smallpox vaccine administration and practice using the bifurcated needle. Upon completion, qualified participants will be certified in smallpox vaccine administration by the MDPH.
The specific objectives for the mass dispensing site: smallpox specific are:
- Discuss components of the current smallpox vaccination administration program
- Describe components of a mass dispensing site specific to smallpox vaccine administration
- Explain the screening procedures and contraindications for receiving the smallpox vaccine
- List adverse events to the smallpox vaccine
- Demonstrate care of the vaccine site
- Explain evaluation of the vaccine "take"
- Explain vaccine storage and handling
- Describe the procedure for reconstitution of smallpox vaccine
- Demonstrate smallpox vaccine administration technique using the bifurcated needle
Presentation credits 2.5 CMEs, 3.0 nursing contact hours, and 3 EMT/paramedic credit hours.
Mass dispensing training exercise
Following the presentations on Category A bioterrorism agents and mass dispensing clinics, the presenters will conduct an interactive exercise that incorporates the principles of the incident command system (ICS) into mass dispensing clinic operations. To ensure a valuable take-home experience that is both practical and realistic, this exercise will utilize population data and local resources specific to the community. Following the exercise, participants should be able to effectively set up local emergency dispensing clinics in their communities.
The specific objectives for the training exercise are:
- To engage the audience in a discussion of the issues related to setting up emergency dispensing clinics, including the principles of incident command system and interagency communication
- To walk through the steps of setting up a mass dispensing clinic in a local community
- To provide participants with the take home tools they need to plan for a mass dispensing clinic in their communities
The learning outcomes for the training exercise parallel these objectives:
- Participants can describe the issues and challenges related to setting up local mass dispensing clinics, including the application of ICS structure in the clinic setting
- Participants can outline the necessary steps to operate a successful mass dispensing clinic in their local communities
- Participants can utilize the tools and templates provided in the training exercise to set up a successful mass-dispensing clinic in their communities
If interested in having one or more of these programs brought to your facility, contact Chris Pontus at 781.830.5754 or email cpontus@nmarn.org.
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