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| Updates for Massachusetts Top |
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 Caring Health Center re-opens nearly one month after devastating tornado
Donate to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers' Tornado and Emergency Relief Fund. The June 1 storm caused significant damage to Caring Health Center in Springfield, including the destruction of 25 employee cars by flying debris. A preliminary estimate of the damage, which includes facility costs not reimbursable through insurance as well as the storm-related transportation and housing needs of the center's employees and patients, has been set at more than $275,000. Proceeds of the fund also will be used to help employees and patients of other western and central Massachusetts health centers affected by the storm.  To make a gift to the fund, please click on the Network for Good link above. |
MEMA Announces New Information on Donations and Volunteer Efforts to Assist Rebuild Efforts in Central and Western MA
MDPH - June 8, 2011. MEMA announced that the United Way of Tri-County and FEMA National Donation Management System are helping coordinate donation and volunteer efforts for those affected by the June 1st storms in Western and Central Massachusetts. Those wishing to make monetary donations to assist the most impacted individuals can contribute to the Massachusetts Statewide Disaster Relief Fund. This effort, hosted by the United Way of Tri-County can be found online at www.unitedwaytri-county.org/disaster. These funds will then be distributed in the form of grants to meet the needs of individuals and families through long-term recovery groups recognized by the Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MAVOAD). Members of the public interested in volunteering their time/ skills or wishing to donate products/ equipment are encouraged to do so by using the FEMA National Donation's Management System at http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/FEMA/States.aspx?ST=Massachusetts.
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End of Contract Reports Due July 21st
All League contracted community health centers for "Enhancing Community Health Center Emergency Preparedness" are reminded that this year's current contract ended on June 30, 2011. Reports are to be submitted to the League no later than July 21, 2011. Final reports are to include the following:
- The state of preparedness at the CHC, including but not limited to;
- a copy or the date of the most recently updated and board approved EOP and CoOP;
- the top five (5) priority areas identified in the CHC's hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA);
- updated emergency contact information form (provided by MLCHC); - Activities undertaken and accomplishments documented during the project period - July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011;
- Newly identified gaps, and potential improvements/ recommendations to address the identified gaps in preparedness;
- Full detailed accounting of all expenditures reflecting dollar amounts and related costs and activities, work effort or relevant units of cost.
Reports may be submitted to Victoria Walsh at vwalsh@massleague.org; questions or concerns may be directed to Tina Wright at twright@massleague.org.
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E.K. Shriver Center Partnership
CEEPET - June 2, 2011. The Center of Excellence for Emergency Preparedness Education and Training (CEEPET) is proud to announce a new collaboration with the E.K. Shriver Center. The Shriver Center is an invaluable resource for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and CEEPET is glad to be partnering with the Center to develop course materials and trainings focused specifically on addressing the needs of people with disabilities during disasters. The Shriver Center will be integral to the development of CEEPET's courses and will be assisting us in trainings and drills designed to ensure that responders are equipped with the knowledge to meet the needs of this population. CEEPET will rely on the Shriver Center and its dedicated staff to ensure that our course offerings address this important need and help focus training on people with disabilities as a part of our ongoing commitment to all individuals requiring additional assistance during emergencies. Sign up for the CEEPET email list to get regular updates on course offerings, registration information and other information, email Sandra Manning at Sandra.Manning@umassmed.edu, or visit www.ceepet.org. |
Health Centers respond to nature's wrath
NACHC - July 8, 2011. A wonderful special edition newsletter from the Missouri Primary Care Association contains stories of three health centers as they showcase the power of partnership and clearly demonstrate the PCA leadership in emergency management. Janice Pirner of the Missouri PCA and the health centers that responded remind us why we do what we do.
Missouri Primary Care Association's (MPCA) Special Edition of The Health Center: CHCs Respond to Nature's Wrath. Inside you'll find a detailed account of how Missouri CHCs have stepped up to the plate during the many weather crises of 2011.
http://issuu.com/mpca/docs/mpca_special_storm_edition_2011
This digital edition is also available on MPCA's website at:
http://www.mo-pca.org/healthcenterspecialedition
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New Yorkers: Beware of 'Monster' Plant Causing Blisters, Blindness
Fox News - July 5, 2011. A monster plant with flowers the size of umbrellas and sap that causes blisters, scars that last years, and blindness is spreading across New York, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. It's an invasive species called the giant hogweed, and the DEC seeks help locating outbreaks so they can send crews to nip it in the bud. According to the agency, the plant's sap contains photosensitizing furanocoumarins, which can cause a serious skin inflammation within 15 minutes of skin contact in conjunction with sunlight. The sap prevents skin from protecting itself from sunlight, according to health and safety instructions from the DEC, which leads to a very bad sunburn. Heat and moisture (sweat or dew) can worsen the skin reaction. Read more at http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/07/05/new-yorkers-beware-monster-plant-causing-blisters-blindness/#ixzz1RoBX3CEy
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When Preparedness Hits Home
CDC - June 29, 2011. Public Health Matters Blog - Getting people to think about an emergency before it happens is not always easy. Unfortunately, it usually takes a disaster for people to realize the importance of being prepared. Read this and other blogs related to preparing for and responding to a public health emergency. http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/06/when-preparedness-hits-home
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NACHC - June 24, 2011. This video demonstrates the impact having an electronic health record in place can have when disasters occur. Despite the loss of the hospital after the tornado swept through Joplin, Missouri, health care providers were still able to access their patients' records within three days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_6HLt9RPA
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Get Ready for National Preparedness Month
Ready.gov - June 20, 2011. National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to encourage Americans to make sure they are prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. September 2011 is the eighth annual NPM and this year's slogan is: "This September: A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare". This year's goal is to turn awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to take the necessary steps to ensure that their homes, work, and community are prepared for disasters and emergencies.
Become a NPM Coalition Member! NPM Coalition membership is open to all public and private sector organizations. Groups and individuals can register to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member by visiting www.ready.gov and clicking on the National Preparedness Month banner. In 2010, nearly 5,000 registered as Coalition Members, this was the largest Coalition to date. Each September, Coalition Members share preparedness information with their colleagues, customers, employees, and communities. Members are encouraged to find ways to participate in existing events and meetings throughout their communities to share preparedness information, or create a preparedness event of their own. For an inclusive list of volunteer opportunities in your communities, visit www.serve.gov.
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NACHC's Prep Tips highlights lessons from recent emergencies
NACHC - June 15, 2011. This issue of Prep Tips is dedicated to all those whose lives were lost or forever changed due to the severe weather and flooding during the months of March, April, and May 2011. As they work to rebuild their communities and their lives, there are lessons that health centers can take away from this Spring and past disasters to inform their planning and response efforts. Here are a few of the key take-aways:
- Review and update the emergency management plan for your health center - now. There isn't always warning before an emergency occurs and an organization's ability to respond is strengthened by having an up-to-date plan, agreements with partners, and current staff contact lists.
- Know your key partners and how to request assistance following a disaster.
- Participate in local emergency management planning efforts - for health centers, this is often the Emergency Support Function 8 - Public Health and Medical group. This group is frequently referred to as "ESF 8."
- Talk about the "what if" scenarios among your internal and external planning partners. Identify gaps and grey areas and address them now.
- Have a personal preparedness plan and encourage all of the staff at your health center to have one too. Know what to do if disaster strikes and how you will contact your family if you are apart when an emergency happens.
- ALWAYS pay attention to warnings issued by local authorities and take action to protect yourself and those around you.
- Review your insurance coverage at least once a year. Keep enough cash in reserve to cover deductibles.
- Be clear about how you will communicate with your PCA after a disaster - they are crucial links to information, resources from sister health centers and/or disaster relief partners, and serving as liaison to state and national partners
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| Public Health Advisories Top |
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Tylenol Recall
FDA - June 29, 2011. McNeil Consumer Healthcare is recalling one product lot of Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets, 225 count bottles, distributed in the U.S. The recall stems from a small number of odor reports, including musty, moldy odor. The uncharacteristic musty, moldy odor has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical known as 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). While not considered to be toxic, TBA can generate an offensive odor and has been associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal symptoms. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm261509.htm.
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Measles Advisory
MDPH - June 28, 2011. As we have previously reported, there are measles outbreaks in many parts of the world right now, including Western Europe. As a result, we have seen an increase in the number of measles cases nationally as well as in Massachusetts. We continue to urge clinicians to call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) if they see a patient with suspected measles and to evaluate their staff and patients for measles immunity, particularly patients who will be traveling abroad. Please note that MDPH does not accept physician-diagnosed measles as evidence of immunity. An MDPH epidemiologist can be reached 24/7 at 617-983-6800. Please visit www.mass.gov/dph/imm and click on 'Advisories, Alerts and Events' for recent measles advisories and further information.
CDC - June 22, 2011. The United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases in 2011, many of which were acquired during international travel. From January 1 through June 17 this year, 156 confirmed cases of measles were reported to CDC. This is the highest reported number since 1996. Most cases (136) were associated with importations from measles-endemic countries or countries where large outbreaks are occurring. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to our high 2-dose measles vaccine coverage, but it is still endemic or large outbreaks are occurring in countries in Europe (including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Switzerland), Africa, and Asia (including India). The increase in measles cases and outbreaks in the United States this year underscores the ongoing risk of importations, the need for high measles vaccine coverage, and the importance of prompt and appropriate public health response to measles cases and outbreaks. Go to http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/cdc/immunization/alerts_measles_cdc_advisory_201106.pdf to read more.
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Current Travel Warnings
DOS - June 22, 2011. Risks of traveling to Sudan. The Department of State recommends US citizens avoid all travel to the Darfur region of Sudan, and avoid travel to the border areas between the northern and southern regions of Sudan, particularly the states of Upper Nile, Unity, Western Bar el Ghazai, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and the Abyei Special Administrative District. In recent weeks there have been a number of armed clashes between forces loyal to the Government of Sudan and forces loyal to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the border areas between the northern and southern regions of Sudan. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5509.html
DOS - June 16, 2011. Travel warnings for Cote D'Ivoire and Philippines were issued in June. A total of 34 warnings are in effect. Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country, or when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
CDC - June 15, 2011. Outbreak Updates for International Cruise Ships. Cruise ships participating in the Vessel Sanitation Program are required to report the total number of gastrointestinal (GI) illness cases (including zero cases) evaluated by the medical staff before the ship arrives at a U.S. port, when sailing from a foreign port. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/GIlist.htm
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Tornado Cleanup and Response Web Page Features Preventive Measures for Occupational Hazards
CDC - June 20, 2011. This page includes CDC immunization recommendations for disaster responders, health recommendations for relief workers, and interim assessment tools for occupational safety and health in various healthcare settings, as well as guidance for hazards and disaster site management. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/tornado.html
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Animal Bites
BPHC - June 8, 2011. Reported animal bites increase significantly between the months of June and September in Boston. Rabies is endemic in certain animal populations, and rabies prophylaxis may be recommended depending on the type of animal, the availability of a specimen for testing, and the circumstances of the bite. All animal bites must be reported to local health authorities so appropriate follow-up can be conducted. For Boston, contact BPHC at (617) 534-5611; to find your local health department contact information, visit www.mass.gov/dph.
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Kashi recalls select frozen pizzas
FDA - June 6, 2011. Kashi is recalling approximately 11,000 cases of frozen pizzas, including Mediterranean Thin Crust Pizza, Roasted Vegetable Thin Crust Pizza, and Mushroom Trio and Spinach Thin Crust Pizza due to possible plastic fragments in an ingredient in the pizza crusts. No other Kashi frozen pizzas or other products are included in the recall, and no consumer complaints have been reported. The products were distributed nationwide through US retail grocery stores. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm258012.htm
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Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli Infections in US Travelers Returning from Germany
CDC - June 3, 2011. CDC is monitoring a large outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 (STEC O104:H4) infections ongoing in Germany. The responsible strain shares virulence characteristics with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). As of May 31, 2011, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 470 patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS (a severe condition associated with STEC infection that can lead to kidney failure), and nine deaths. Visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/HAN/han00322.asp for more details.
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Flu Update for Massachusettsby Donna Lazorik, MDPH MDPH - July 5, 2011. Flu Vaccination Recommendation During Seasons When the Vaccine Composition Does Not Change & the Timing of Vaccination. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect against influenza. This recommendation is the same even during years when the vaccine composition (the viruses the vaccine protects against) remains unchanged from the previous season. This fall, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as 2011-2012 influenza vaccines become available, even if they got vaccinated last season. MDPH - June 13, 2011. Remember, all influenza vaccine manufactured for the 2010-2011 season expires in June of 2011. After June, flu vaccines will not be available in the US until the 2011-2012 vaccine is available sometime in the fall. Overall, during the 2010-2011 influenza season, the most commonly reported viruses were influenza A (H3N2), but 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses and influenza B viruses circulated as well. More information is available at:
MDPH at http://www.mass.gov/flu
Boston Public Health Commission at http://www.bphc.org/flu
CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
WHO at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
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CDC's 2012 Yellow Book now available online
CDC - July 7, 2011. CDC Travelers' Health (Division of Global Migration and Quarantine) is pleased to announce the online release of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2012 (widely known as the Yellow Book), the trusted travel medicine desktop reference for both health professionals and travelers. This book offers an in-depth look at health risks and ways to prevent them, advice for people with special travel health needs, and more! To view the online version of the Yellow Book or to order your own hard copy or e-book, visit the CDC Travelers' Health website at www.cdc.gov/yellowbook. |
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Do you know how to work with your insurance company?
Kerry Chronicle - June 15, 2011. If your home has been damaged, and you haven't already done so, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Here are some ways you can ensure that you get the rebuilding assistance you're entitled to:
- While you wait for the insurance claims adjuster, take action to prevent further damage to your property - cover holes in the roof and windows and remove as much water as possible from the house. Do not make permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the property.
- Make sure your address is visible from the street. One idea: paint your insurance company name, your policy number and your temporary address on a sheet of plywood.
- Move important papers and items not covered by insurance to a safer location.
- Take photographs of the damage.
- Keep all of your receipts and document the time you spend securing your property.
- Keep a record of all conversations with the insurance company including the place and time of the conversation and the names of the people involved.
Remember to BE SAFE! Never try to re-enter your home or attempt any repairs until it is safe to do so. Visit Massachusetts Disaster Guide for Consumers website for more helpful information.
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GWU releases report on resilience
HSDL - June 1, 2011. The Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University released its interim report on Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Task Force: Interim Report on Resilience. This Task Force brings together experts from government, academia, and the private and non-profit sectors to consider contemporary policy issues facing the nation's homeland security, first responder, and emergency management communities. According to this report, the recent tornado and flooding disasters remind us of the utility of effective resilience policy, and the nuclear emergency in Japan demonstrates how even a resilient nation can be severely affected when all interdependencies are not thoroughly considered as part of a comprehensive vision for resilience. By creating a shared - and actionable - vision for a resilient America, policymakers will ensure that all sectors and the public writ large are unified in their efforts towards helping America prepare for, respond to, and recover from the next disaster. This report is available online at https://www.hsdl.org/?view&doc=142471&coll=documents (user registration is required). |
| Training and Education Top |
Applying Cultural Competency to Emergency Risk Communication
Upcoming COCA Call/Webinar - Applying Cultural Competency to Emergency Risk Communication on Thursday, July 14, 2011, 2:00-3:00pm (EST). Participate by Phone: 888-790-6180, Passcode: 1281914. Register for this webinar: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pf7m85dab&oeidk=a07e48vvvc53f839dbf. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by disasters, and disparities that existed prior to the event are exacerbated following the event. Employing a culturally and linguistically appropriate emergency risk communication framework in the context of a disaster can aid in the reduction of health disparities associated with disaster response and recovery. This COCA webinar will illustrate the importance of cultural competency in the everyday communication activities between clinicians and patients, and discuss culturally competent emergency risk communication strategies that clinicians can use during any crisis. CE Credits are being offered with this activity! For additional information on this call visit: http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2011/callinfo_071411.asp?s_cid=ccu070511_001
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Red Cross and MEMA Regional Mass Care Workshops
A series of workshops are being offered by the American Red Cross and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency: July 27th - Worcester State University - MEMA Region 4 August 4th - UMass Amherst - MEMA Region 3 These events will build upon discussions started during the Mass Care Planning Conference Series held in Fall 2010. Each event is a full day workshop which will showcase successful approaches to mass care service delivery throughout the Commonwealth. Participants will be shown definitive steps they can take to prepare their community or organization to respond to the essential needs of people affected by a disaster. To register to attend, please visit: http://fs3.formsite.com/arcmassbay/MCreg/index.html.
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Upcoming Courses/Events by DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness offers the following training opportunities for health centers in EP regions 3, 4 and 5 (Eastern Massachusetts):
- ICS 300 - September 27, 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
- ICS 400 - November 9, 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
This training is supported through a contract with the Emergency Preparedness Bureau at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with funding from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program.
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Incident Command System and other MEMA courses
- ICS 300 - July 12, 2011 at Camp Curtis Guild CSM Bainbridge Classroom
- ICS 400 - July 18, 2011 at Camp Curtis Guild CSM Bainbridge Classroom
- Bomb Making Materials Awareness Program - August 16, 2011 at Logan Airport (MSP Troop F HQ)
- ICS 300 - August 9, 2011at Cataldo Ambulance
- ICS 400 - September 19, 2011at Cataldo Ambulance
- ICS 400 - September 6, 2011 at Montague Fire Station 28, Old Sunderland Rd
- ICS 300 - September 27, 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
- ICS 400 - November 9, 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
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Radiological Emergency Planning: Terrorism, Security, and Communication
August 15-19, 2011 in Boston, MA. Emergency planners and emergency response team members face a host of new challenges in an era of unprecedented public scrutiny. Taught in the Harvard School of Public Health by leaders in the field of Emergency Planning, this program combines lectures and case studies with access to expert faculty. Partial tuition scholarships available. https://ccpe.sph.harvard.edu/programs.cfm
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National Association of Community Health Centers annual Community Health Institute and Expo
August 26-30, 2011 in San Diego, CA. NACHC and community health centers work together to define the future of primary care. NACHC will unveil a cutting edge program providing CHI attendees with the tools necessary to succeed in serving 30 million Americans with quality health care by 2015. Learn more at http://meetings.nachc.com/.
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Mental Health Aspects of Emergencies and Disasters for Non-Mental Health Professionals
EM 230: Mental Health Aspects of Emergencies and Disasters for Non-Mental Health Professionals. As described in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, health care professionals and volunteers must be able to respond effectively to the psychological needs of affected individuals, response personnel and communities. EM 230 is designed to prepare non-mental health professionals to identify symptoms of mental health distress and refer affected individuals to appropriate behavioral health resources. For a flyer, please visit: http://ynhhs.emergencyeducation.org/flyers/EM230_CourseFlyer.pdf .
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July 12 - MLCHC & Suffolk Certificate Program in Community Health & CHC Management Graduation
July 13-15 - Health Care for Residents of Public Housing Conference, Washington, DC July 14 - MACH Bocce Tournament, Boston July 14 - South End Community Health Center's 'A Friend Indeed' Reception, Boston July 19 - CRVFHP Health Outreach Training, Holyoke July 20 - DentaQuest Webinar: Developing Billing Excellence: How to Ensure you Get Paid For What You Do July 21 - Boston Talks Race: Moving Forward Forum, Boston Aug 3 - DentaQuest Webinar: A 3-Step Approach for Improving Quality Outcomes in Safety Net Dental Programs Aug 7-13 - National Health Center WeekFor more details and other health center events, visit http://www.massleague.org/Calendar/Calendar.php.
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| If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Tina Wright, Project Coordinator - EM & PI
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
40 Court Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
617-426-2225 ext. 231
twright@massleague.org
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