336064
Utilizing Medical Reserve Corps to Protect the Public and Reduce Stress on the Healthcare System in the District of Columbia
District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) protects public health, safety of residents, visitors through an all hazards preparedness, response approach to mitigate public health and healthcare impacts.
The District, seat of federal government, national icons hosts many high profile special events. Each event places strain on local health and EMS departments. During the Concert for Valor, with over 800,000 attendees, DOH partnered with George Washington University (GWU) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to staff medical aid stations and conduct patient tracking activities.
Objectives
DOH seeks to reduce negative health impacts to the public by incorporating MRC volunteers in health, medical planning. DOH will illustrate best practices that reduced medical transports, prevented stress on healthcare systems.
Methods
DOH developed health, medical plans and conducted on-site training. GWU MRC manned fourteen medical aid stations, conducted electronic patient tracking. Patient information was immediately uploaded into situational awareness dashboard.
Results
DOH protected the public and reduced transports that prevented taxed ER. Trained MRC treated, released 128 injured concert goers on site, preventing patient surge at hospitals. Eight concert goers were transported compared with 20-40 that would be expected to be transported. Patient tracking data, uploaded into the dashboard, provided real time information on patients from each medical aid station and resource allocation needs.
Outcomes
Trained MRC volunteers increased protection to public, reduced stress on healthcare systems.
Conclusions
District of Columbia addresses public health, healthcare needs of residents, visitors.
Measurable Objective
Demonstrate value of trained MRC to protect public health, healthcare systems.
Learning Areas:
Program planningLearning Objectives:
Demonstrate increased protection to the public and reduced stress on the health care system by utilizing Medical Reserve Corps and patient tracking in health and medical planning for high profile special events.
Keyword(s): Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversee the community preparedness and community resilience program in the District. Previously I have served as Bioterrorism program manager and have overseen the environmental public health programs including Food safety and Security, animal Disease prevention and vector control. I have served as the state vet and Director, Environmental Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.