The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71901

Anissa D. Davis, MD, MPH¹, Pamela Shaw, RN, PHN¹, Helene Calvet, MD², Bruce Fujikawa, DrPH¹, Hanan Obeidi, MPH, CHES³, Darryl Sexton, MD⁴, and Ronald R. Arias, MPA⁵. (1) Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815, (2) City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, 2525 Grand Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815, (3) Preventive Health Bureau, City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815, 562-570-4382, hanan_obeidi@ci.long-beach.ca.us, (4) Department of Health and Human Services, City of Long Beach, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815-1765, (5) City of Long Beach, Department of Health & Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815

The anthrax attacks of 2001 elucidated the need for local health jurisdictions to be prepared to conduct mass prophylaxis distribution clinics in the event of a large exposure, as occurred in Washington, D.C. This presentation will describe a local health department's implementation of a mass prophylaxis medication distribution exercise as part of a prescheduled annual senior influenza vaccination clinic. The objectives of the exercise were to evaluate the Department's planning process for a mass prophylaxis distribution clinic, train staff in the procedures and resources needed for mass prophylaxis, and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of Department staff, other City Departments, and outside agencies regarding mass prophylaxis distribution. The mass distribution exercise consisted of registration, orientation, medical screening, medication distribution, and evaluation stations. Approximately 200 senior volunteers participated in the exercise. Approximately 40 Health Department staff were involved with the exercise as well. Parks and Recreation staff, Public Works staff, and Senior Police volunteers also contributed to the event. The time for a volunteer to complete the exercise averaged 50 minutes. In an eight hour period, about 536 clients could have been served using the same level of staffing. The participants felt that the materials were easy to understand, and that the exercise in general was user-friendly. Department staff were commended for their flexibility, organization, and courteousness. Areas of potential improvement noted included managing patient flow, decreasing the level of noise, providing privacy during medical screening, and ensuring on-site mental health support. 

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to:
• Identify the important components needed for a mass prophylaxis distribution clinic.
• List the financial and manpower resources required in order to perform mass prophylaxis.
• List the roles and responsibilities of a local health jurisdiction during a mass prophylaxis distribution clinic.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Emerging Health Issues

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Long Beach, California Department of Health and Human Services
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.