Hospital Prep

Preparedness under assault

While Boston's response to bombing showed crucial role of planning, strides elsewhere in emergency readiness could be undermined by budget cuts. Read more from Modern Healthcare here.

CDC highlights preparedness resources for bombing events

In the wake of the two bombs that exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued an advisory highlighting resources available to help health professionals and others prepare for and respond to the health effects of bombings and other mass casualty events. The advisory includes links to CDC fact sheets, guidance and planning documents, data collection and planning tools, and training resources.

[ via AHA News Now ]

President signs Preparedness Reauthorization Act

President Obama on March 13 signed into law the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 307). American Hospital Association-supported provisions in the bill reauthorize the Hospital Preparedness Program, Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, Medical Reserve Corps and other critical preparedness activities through fiscal year 2018; clarify allowable activities for recipients of HPP funds; and permit national collaboration among HPP-funded entities.

“Thousands of hospitals and communities across the country participate in these programs, and because of this participation they now have stronger capabilities and better planning to respond to disasters,” said HHS Assistant Secretary Nicole Lurie.

Preparedness bill goes to president

The U.S. House of Representatives on March 4 voted 370-28 to approve Senate amendments to the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 307). The bill next goes to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.

American Hospital Association-supported provisions in the bill would reauthorize the Hospital Preparedness Program, Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, Medical Reserve Corps and other critical preparedness activities through fiscal year 2018; clarify allowable activities for recipients of HPP funds; and permit national collaboration among HPP-funded entities.

DMH offering Mental Health First Aid training in May

In response to recent shooting tragedies in the United States, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has become a hot topic in Washington and Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) will use some of the final British Petroleum grant monies to certify a cadre of trainers in MHFA.

These certified trainers will be available to provide education through workshops to community leaders such as pastors, teachers, and civic groups, along with families and friends interested in learning more about mental health issues. Funds from the DMH Behavioral Health BP Grant Program have already provided valuable services, programs, and informational materials in many of the communities in Mississippi affected by the BP oil spill.

MHFA training will enhance the progress that has already been made. With knowledge, comes understanding. Communities that have a better understanding of mental health issues are shown to have less stigma around mental illness. Hopefully with more community understanding, those who suffer from mental illness will be receive assistance and support they need rather than eschewed by our schools, churches and the general public.

DMH will have certified trainers of MHFA in both the core and the youth versions. Certification training is tentatively set for May 2013.

Mental Health First Aid is offered in the form of an interactive 12-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take the 12-hour course as Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and selfhelp care.

For more information, contact Wendy Bailey at wendy.bailey@dmh.state.ms.us. 

Senate passes preparedness bill

The U.S. Senate on Feb. 28 approved by unanimous consent the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (H.R. 307), which next goes to the House for final passage. American Hospital Association-supported provisions in the bill would reauthorize the Hospital Preparedness Program, Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, Medical Reserve Corps and other critical preparedness activities through fiscal year 2018; clarify allowable activities for recipients of HPP funds; and permit national collaboration among HPP-funded entities.

U.S. House passes preparedness bill

The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 22 voted 395-29 to approve the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (H.R. 307). The legislation, which next moves to the Senate, represents common ground in separate preparedness bills passed by the House and Senate last year.

American Hospital Association-supported provisions retained in the bill would reauthorize the Hospital Preparedness Program, Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, Medical Reserve Corps and other critical preparedness activities through fiscal year 2017; clarify allowable activities for recipients of HPP funds; and permit national collaboration among HPP-funded entities.

Emergency preparedness losing ground due to budget cuts

States have made significant strides in public health preparedness in the last 10 years, but budget cuts and work-force reductions are eroding that success and casting a cloud over future progress, says a December 2012 report.

Read more from American Medical News here.

INITIAL MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF RADIATION INJURIES TRAINING COURSE

This one-day course will address specific key topics on the initial evaluation and management of radiation and nuclear related injuries. This training course will focus on training first receivers (physicians and nurses) and emergency services personnel, using a combination of didactic sessions and scenario-based discussions, on the proper and safe, initial evaluation and management of victims injured in an overt or covert radiological or nuclear incident. Further, the initial management of internal contamination will be discussed along with management strategies. Acute Radiation Syndrome and long term effects of acute radiation exposures will also be covered.

Download Radiation Training Flyer 5

There will be three dates and locations for this training:

• January 23, 2013 in Grenada, MS.
• January 24, 2013 in Pearl, MS
• January 25, 2013 in Hattiesburg, MS

Course instruction will be provided by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), School of Public Health, South Central Preparedness and Emergency Response Center.

*This continuing nursing education activity was approved for 7 contact hours by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

*This offering has been approved for 8.4 EMS contact hours by the Mississippi Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

Click here to Download Radiation Training Flyer 4 for more detailed information and registration form.

** Space is limited and registrations will be accepted until slots are filled. There are no registration costs for this training opportunity.

This Training Course is funded for you through an Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) grant to the Mississippi State Department of Health in collaboration with the Mississippi Hospital Association – Health, Research & Education Foundation, Office of Hospital Emergency Preparedness.

For more info, contact: Ashanti Smith Project Coordinator, MHA Office of Emergency Preparedness - (601) 368-3219 or asmith@mhanet.org

All-Hazards Type 3 Incident Management Teams Are Catching On

Photo courtesy of Patrick Repman

Having already proven their worth in various parts of the country, All-Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Teams (IMT) are now catching on in other areas — and their growth within the last five years is punctuated by the creation of the All-Hazards Incident Management Teams Association, incorporated in December 2010.

Read more here.