POINT OF DISPENSING ORIENTATION Wayne County Health Department

POINT OF DISPENSING ORIENTATION Wayne County Health Department 405 North Basin Road Fairfield IL 62837 618 -842 -5166 Hamilton County Health Department 100 S. Jackson Street Mc. Leansboro, IL 62859 618 -643 -3522

Session Overview n POD basics n POD management n POD roles and responsibilities n Preparing to work at a POD

Learning Objectives After completing this module, you will be able to describe: n n n The purpose of a Point of Dispensing (POD) The role of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in a POD The general structure and operations of public health PODs How POD operations function within the Incident Command System (ICS) How you can prepare yourself and your family for the time you spend working in a POD

POD basics MASS DISPENSING PLAN

What is a POD? Point of dispensing (POD) - a place where a vaccine, antibiotic or other medication is dispensed quickly to a large group of people. • General Public • Self Dispensing Sites (i. e. , Hospital, Nursing Homes, etc) • First Responders

Why would a POD be activated? n Usually: To prevent disease in those exposed to an infection but who are not yet sick (antiviral, vaccine) n Possible: To treat an infectious disease n The treatment offered would be limited to dispensing a specific medication.

What Kinds of Emergencies Might Require a POD? Natural disaster n Influenza pandemic n Bioterrorism attack n

What is the Strategic National Stockpile ? A large CDC-managed stockpile of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. You can learn more about the Strategic National Stockpile at http: //www. bt. cdc. gov/stockpile

Strategic National Stockpile Components n Push Pack/12 Hours n Vendor Managed Inventory/ 24 -36 hours

SNS Responsibilities n SNS Send medications / vaccines n Provide technical assistance n n State and Local governments Demonstrate need for supplies n Receive, stage and store supplies n Dispense at community PODs n n Hospitals n Dispense to personnel and patients

How Will a POD Be Set Up? The layout of a POD is designed to facilitate accurate and rapid dispensing of a specific medication/vaccine n Basic POD floor plan n n Variation Situation n Local circumstances n

POD layout

Where will PODs be located? POD locations must be: n Appropriate in size and layout n Able to be secured n Accessible by all

How will a POD be staffed? n It takes many people to run a POD n n Number and mix of skills needed will depends on situation Source of staff Public health and hospital staff members n Other first responders n Volunteers n

POD Management

How will POD operations be managed? Using the Incident Command System which is part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). n In compliance with: n with good emergency response practice n federal requirements n n Time and crisis tested

What is the National Incident Management System? n n n A core set of doctrines, principles, terminology, and organizational processes Developed by the US Department of Homeland Security For planning and response to any emergency on the local, regional, state and national levels

What is the Incident Command System? A management model for command, control and coordination of an organization’s emergency response activities n Applies to management of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications n

Incident Command Leadership

POD Operations Section Organizational Structure Operations Section Chief Scribe Non-Medical Security Group Medical Group Supervisor Security Task Force Triage Unit Floater/Greeter Unit 1 Leader Pharmacy Unit Leader Vaccine/Prophy Abx Unit Leader Exit/Evaluation Unit Leader EMS/Transfer Unit Leader Forms Distribution Unit Leader Video Orientation Unit Leader (as required) Child Care Unit Leader (Interior) Security Task Force 2 (Exterior) Interior Clinic Traffic Control Unit

ICS essentials for POD workers You will be assigned a role with a limited and specific set of tasks to perform n You will report to one and only one supervisor n As a POD supervisor, you will have a limited number of people reporting to you (span of control 3 -7) n

Incident Command Essentials for POD workers Incident Commander is the boss n All POD activities are designed to meet the objectives set by the Incident Commander n Effective communication is key n

Successful communication is key Do not use jargon or acronyms n Only the Public Information Officer may speak with the media n Follow your supervisor’s guidance on communication with friends and family n Report rumors directly to your supervisor n Know how to use any communication equipment assigned to you n

POD roles and responsibilities

How Will You Know When and Where to Respond? n If you are needed, you will be: n n n contacted by a designated person in health department given specific information about where and when to report On site, you will report to the staff sign-in area where you will be given an assignment

How Long Will You Be Working in the POD? n n Shifts are usually 8 -12 hours The POD will be in operation until the mission has been achieved

What Should You Bring ? n Bring as little as possible n Bring n n n Photo identification – required POD Go Pak Specific equipment, as requested – e. g. stethoscope n Food will be provided to you while you work at the POD

How Will You Know What to Do When You Arrive at the POD? n n Job Action Sheet Just-in-time training

Job Action Sheet Job title n Job mission n To whom you report n Tasks to perform n

Just-in-time Training n n The training delivered at the time of an incident Focused on providing the knowledge and skills you need to fill your role JITT for short

How Will You be Assigned a Role? n Incident Commander or designee will assign a role based on n Your skills n Needs n of the operation You may be re-assigned as the needs of the operation change

POD roles

How Will You be Protected? All appropriate precautions will be taken to protect POD workers. n n Vaccination or medication being dispensed before the POD opens Supply and training on appropriate personal protective equipment Safety officer always present Facilities for food & rest

Dealing with stress Working at a POD may be stressful n Monitor self and others for signs of stress and fatigue n POD attendees and co-workers may vent anger - don’t take it personally n Mental health workers will be available on site Report any serious problems to your supervisor.

What are signs of stress and fatigue? Lack of concentration n Increased number of non-critical errors n Critical errors n Irritability n Worry n Feeling ill n

What Are Ethical Guidelines for Working in a POD? n Treat members of the public with fairness and respect Courtesy n Confidentiality n No favoritism or discrimination Don’t spread rumors Honor your commitment to work at a POD until the mission is complete n n n Your fellow staff members and the public are relying on you.

What Do You Do When It's Time to Leave? n n Your supervisor will tell you when your shift is complete When leaving your supervisor may ask you to: brief him/her n turn in a report or equipment Always check out at the staff desk any time you leave a POD n n

What Do You Do When It's Time to Leave? Your supervisor will tell you when the mission is complete and your service is no longer needed n You will be asked to participate in a debriefing called a ‘hot wash’ n

What liability protection am I afforded? Health department employee n Hospital employee n Volunteer n Licensed medical professional n Member of MRC or other organization n

Where Can You Get Additional Training? Wayne. County Health Department 618 -842 -5166 www. wchdil. com Hamilton County Health Department 618 -643 -3522 www. hchdil. com www. fema. gov/emergency/nims/

Conclusion 1. 2. 3. A POD is established to dispense a vaccine, antibiotic or other medication quickly to a large group of people usually to prevent disease. The clinic flow is intended to maximize movement through the PODs are managed using the Incident Command System.

Conclusion 4. 5. 6. Each POD worker will be assigned a specific role which will be described in a Job Action Sheet. Safety of POD workers is paramount. Plan and train now to be an effective POD worker.