Addressing Bioterrorism and Disaster Planning Issues through a Community Based Infection Control Workgroup

ISSUE: The events of September 11, 2001 and recent developments in the epidemiology of certain infectious diseases have required immediate community, state and national responses. Infection Control (IC) planning and involvement has become a community priority. The Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) an organization responsible for the operation of a comprehensive emergency response system in a 52 county region realized the importance IC to planning for biological and disaster events. PROJECT: An IC workgroup was created to address the IC issues common to health care facilities (HCF). Areas considered were communication, surveillance, facility planning, resources management and patient and staff education. An e-mail IC response contact list was created and linked to public health (PH) establishing a rapid information distribution and IC response network. A computerized syndromic surveillance program was implemented in urban facilities with emergency room operations which is now expanding to rural facilities. Templates were developed for response to biological agents which were able to be modified at the HCF level. Compiled individual facility capacity and supply levels allowed the IC group establish regional preparedness goals. A three-tiered regional IC plan was developed addressing each element of the critical benchmarks of the State of Texas Bioterrorism Plan. Vendor products were evaluated using a form promoting criteria-based product selection and cost savings through group purchase. Standardized patient and health professional educational tools which promoted consistent health messages were developed and distributed. RESULTS: The IC workgroup provided a goal-directed framework and plan that has been key to STRACʹs approach to biological events and natural disasters requiring IC response. Critical products are standardized and surge capacity requirements are being addressed. Education is ongoing and directed by standards by which facilities can gauge their achievement levels. LESSONS LEARNED: A group approach to disaster planning requires community support, ongoing planning and cooperation among facilities to succeed. Standardization of plans, tools and products leads to a more flexible response system.