Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109523

Valerie Munn, CPhT, BA, MHPA, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Washington State Department of Health, 1500 West 4th Avenue, Suite 305, Spokane, WA 99204, 5094562726, valerie.munn@doh.wa.gov and Michael L. Smith, MPA, MI, Terrorism & Disaster Response - Emergency Medical Services, Washington State Department of Health, 1500 West 4th Avenue, Suite 403, Spokane, WA 99204.

Three specific Washington State ad hoc workgroups are discussed: Development of an Isolation Capacity Survey, Pharmaceutical Benchmark 2-5 and Trauma and Burn Care Surge Capacity. Washington State emergency preparedness and response activities have long included the integration of partners into planning efforts and exercises. These collaborations have facilitated significant progress in our ability to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from health emergencies. During the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant cycle, which includes 2004 and 2005, the Washington State Department of Health has partnered with clinical experts, regional public health practitioners, professional organizations, emergency medical system representatives, university faculty and other critical partners through the use of ad hoc workgroups. These short term workgroups are charged with a specific purpose that will assist our 9 public health regions with HRSA and CDC grant related activities. Through these essential work committees, evidence based materials are developed for use in emergency preparedness and response.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• List at least three benefits to including clinicians as essential partners in high level emergency preparedness and response workgroups.
• Discuss the commonalities of successful workgroups.
• List resources that are available to assist public health in assembling expertise for pharmaceutical and burn care planning workgroups.
• Describe results and materials that can be produced through involvement of clinicians and other experts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.