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| Updates for Massachusetts Top |
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Contract and Reporting Reminder 
MLCHC - Nov 15, 2012. There are two big deadlines looming: (1) all health center contracts for this year's emergency preparedness program are due to the League no later than Nov 30; (2) all contracted health centers are to submit a mid-contract report no later than Dec 15. To assist in your reporting, the League has a template for your report submissions, which will be emailed directly to health center EP Project Leads and Executive Directors. In addition, we have created the following checklist to assist you in completing your contract and reporting deliverables:
* Summary of activities from August 15 through Dec 15, 2012, including:
- Major achievements, challenges, and potential future projects (please include your response to Hurricane Sandy)
- Staff participation in training and education (specify courses, such as ICS-100, NIMS IS-700, etc.), drills and exercises (internal and external), and local, regional, and statewide EPM-related meetings
- Identified gaps and plans to address those gaps
* Expenditures to date
Please refer to your contract for more details.
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Surviving Sandy
MLCHC - Nov 5, 2012. Thanks to Mollie Melbourne from NACHC and our fellow PCAs (in particular we thank Tom Knox from the Florida Association of CHCs), we have heard from our colleagues on the status of the PCAs and health centers in the areas ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Although information is still being collected in NY and NJ, PCAs and health centers are reporting minimal damages from the storm and continue to return to normal operations. We continue to send well wishes and offers of support to our friends and colleagues.
CHCANYS - Nov 8, 2012. Community Health Centers in NYC Deploy Mobile Health Vans to Help Hurricane Victims - In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, seven community health centers have dispatched 12 mobile medical and outreach vans to provide health care to communities in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island devastated by the storm. The first vans began delivering services on Monday, November 5, 2012. The health care services provided through the vans were available free to anyone who needs care. http://www.chcanys.org/clientuploads/2012_PDFs/PRESS%20RELEASE/CHCANYS-Mobile_Hurricane_Response_Press_Release.pdf
AP - Nov 5, 2012. Obama commits to storm recovery and rebuilding. President Barack Obama on Saturday told Americans impacted by Superstorm Sandy that the country will be there for them as long as it takes to recover and rebuild. In his final weekly radio and Internet address before Election Day, Obama said he has ordered his team not to let red tape and bureaucracy delay solving problems, especially for getting power restored. http://online.wsj.com/article/AP1232ec9d6b0244c4a4e936ca71140b0f.html
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Multi-state Outbreak of Fungal Meningitis Update
CDC - Oct 21, 2012. CDC and FDA are coordinating a multi-state investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection. Investigation into the exact source is ongoing; however, interim data show that all infected patients received injection with preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) prepared by New England Compounding Center, located in Framingham, MA. http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html
FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised FDA - Oct 15, 2012. FDA advises healthcare professionals to follow-up with patients who were administered any injectable medication from or produced by NECC, including injectable ophthalmic drugs used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by NECC after May 21, 2012. Healthcare professionals and medical care organizations should inform patients who received the NECC products noted above of the symptoms of possible infection and instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of these symptoms. Background: As a result of the ongoing investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product. In addition, two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who were administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery have been reported. Investigation of these patients is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm322979.htm?source=govdelivery
Resources:
CDC Clinical Conference Calls transcript from Oct 10 and 25 - http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2012/ CDC: What Should Physicians Be Doing? - http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/clinicians/what-physicians-should-be-doing.html
CDC: Frequently Asked Questions - http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/clinicians/faq_meningitis_outbreak.html
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Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder
FDA - Nov 9, 2012. Nestlé USA announced the voluntary recall of limited quantities of Nestlé NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters. The voluntary recall is limited to only NESQUIK Chocolate Powder, which was distributed nationally. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm327533.htm?source=govdelivery
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Donate and Volunteer Responsibly
FEMA - Nov 8, 2012. When disaster strikes so close to home, many people and organizations want to offer support and assistance. FEMA reminds us to be sure that we are donating and volunteering in a responsible way that does not add undue burden to the victims and responders of the disaster. Visit http://www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly to learn more.
Donating Cash. A financial contribution to a recognized disaster relief organization is the most effective donation to make. When the public supports these voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster.
- Most needed and the most efficient way of helping those impacted by disaster.
- Allow voluntary organizations to fund response and recovery efforts, obtain goods and services locally, and provide direct financial assistance to disaster survivors to meet their own needs.
- Make a financial contribution to the voluntary organization of your choice.
- If you need help in determining who to give to, National Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster website has a list of major Non-profits that are active in disaster work or you can make your offer through the National Donations Management Network.
Donating Goods. Confirm what is needed BEFORE taking action!
- Donate in-kind goods that are specifically requested or needed by recognized organizations.
- Unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
- Confirm the needs by contacting the voluntary organization of your choice before starting to collect.
- If you have a quantity of a given item or class of item to donate, and you need help in determining which organizations to give to, you can make your offer through the National Donations Management Network.
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Understanding THIRA for Risk Assessments
NACCHO - Nov 8, 2012. Risk assessments are a vital source of baseline information for preparedness planning. Local health departments (LHDs) and other entities rely on different tools to conduct risk assessments and analyze findings based on their scope and priorities. Just as public health is required to complete jurisdictional risk assessments (JRAs) to address the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) capabilities, and hospitals are required by the Joint Commission to complete annual Hazards Vulnerability Assessments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established its own requirements for emergency management with its Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201: Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Guide, First Edition, released in spring 2012. http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nacchoa/issues/2012-11-07/index.html
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Hurricane Sandy exacerbates continued struggles in Haiti
ProMed - Nov 6, 2012.Hurricane Sandy not only devastated NY and NJ, but increased the already ravaged Haiti and DR which have seen an increase in cholera, diarrhea and dysentery.
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update (46): Haiti, DR. http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20121106.1394905
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Did you know...
... that emergency management officials are using social media more and more to disseminate vital information and even to coordinate response and recovery efforts. Below are just a few ideas for incorporating social media into your emergency management efforts:
- Utilize Twitter as one method for issuing public warnings and alerts
- Monitor tweets and Facebook messages to keep track of disaster or emergency situations as they happen
- Use Twitter, wikis, blogs and even discussion forums to share best practices or disaster information with whole community partners or across emergency management disciplines
To learn more about social media in emergency management, view FEMA's independent study training course: Social Media in Emergency Management.
... Johns Hopkins National Center for the Study of Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Response developed the Electronic Mass Casualty Assessment and Planning Scenarios (EMCAPS) software program, which provides a mechanism to model disaster scenarios for drill planning.
... that ASPR's now trending: #Health in My Community Challenge - a competition to develop a Web-based application that would allow LHDs to easily identify health topics that were trending on social media platforms within their community. "MappyHealth" came out on top for the competition. http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nacchoa/issues/2012-11-07/5.html
... backup generators should always be used outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
... disaster survivors can register for FEMA assistance at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ .
... CDC warns of four reports of children with vomiting, mental status changes, and respiratory distress after ingesting the contents of laundry detergent pods. Health-care providers should be aware that exposure to laundry detergent pods might be associated with adverse health effects.
... 11 Recommendations for a Safer Tomorrow, by Community e-Resource Disaster Resource Guide. With professionals skilled in cybersecurity at a premium, government agencies often compete with one another recruiting individuals for the high-profile task of protecting our national infrastructure from cyber attack. As such, the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Task Force on Cyber Skills released 11 recommendations to help the Department of Homeland Security obtain individuals with the skills necessary to perform this critical function. http://www.disaster-resource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1781 |
| Public Health Advisories Top |
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ACIP votes to recommend pregnant women receive Tdap vaccination
MDPH - Oct 31, 2012. On October 24, at its regularly scheduled October meeting, CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that pregnant women receive Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy even if a woman has received the vaccine previously. A related CDC media advisory issued on the same date is reprinted below. CDC Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices Recommends Tdap Immunization for Pregnant Women - ACIP voted today 14 to 0, with one abstention, to recommend that providers of prenatal care implement a Tdap immunization program for all pregnant women. Health-care personnel should administer a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy irrespective of the patient's prior history of receiving Tdap. If not administered during pregnancy, Tdap should be administered immediately postpartum. This builds upon a previous recommendation made by ACIP in June 2011 to administer Tdap during pregnancy only to women who have not previously received Tdap. By getting Tdap during pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing protection against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP vaccines. Tdap will also protect the mother at time of delivery, making her less likely to transmit pertussis to her infant. If not vaccinated during pregnancy, Tdap should be given immediately postpartum, before leaving the hospital or birthing center. The US remains on track to have the most reported pertussis cases since 1959, with more than 32,000 cases already reported along with 16 deaths, the majority of which are in infants. Note: ACIP's recommendations will be forwarded to CDC's director for approval. If the ACIP recommendations are approved by the CDC director, they will be published in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and represent the official CDC recommendations for immunizations in the US; until then, they are considered provisional.
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Continuous spray Banana Boat products recalled
FDA - Oct 19, 2012. Energizer Holdings Inc. announced today it is initiating a voluntary market withdrawal of the continuous spray Banana Boat sun care products identified in the table below due to a potential risk of product igniting on the skin if contact is made with a source of ignition before the product is completely dry. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm324824.htm?source=govdelivery
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Pertussis Health Alert (Whooping Cough)
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Flu Update for Massachusettsby Donna Lazorik, MDPH
MDPH - Oct 26, 2012. Massachusetts Flu Activity - Influenza-like illness (ILI) in Massachusetts is very low and is consistent with activity levels normally seen at this time of year. For more information, see CDC's influenza surveillance website at www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm. Now is a great time to vaccinate, before flu season really begins.
Influenza Vaccination Rates in Massachusetts - During the 2011 - 2012 Flu season, 50% of Massachusetts residents 6 months of age and older received flu vaccine, including 63% of children and 47% of adults 18 and older (please see the attached table). The highest flu vaccination rate was seen among children 6 months to 4 years of age (86%). The lowest vaccination rate was seen among adolescents 13-17 years of age (39%). This represents a 14 percentage point decrease from the previous flu season. We encourage all providers to make an extra effort to administer flu vaccine to adolescents this flu season.
MDPH - Oct 23, 2012. The October issue of Vaccinate Adults is now online; an abbreviated version of Needle Tips with the pediatric content removed.
MDPH - Oct 16, 2012. Immunization Action Council (IAC) Express Issue. http://www.immunize.org/express/issue1020.asp , the edition includes: CDC publishes recommendations for use of PCV13 and PPSV23 in adults with immunocompromising conditions; Rhode Island Department of Health adopts new influenza prevention regulations for healthcare personnel; and Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC in the News web section. MDPH - Oct 16, 2012. The October 2012 issue of Needle Tips now online .
MDPH - Oct 12, 2012. On June 20, 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended routine use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults aged 22-65;19 years with immunocompromising conditions, functional or anatomic asplenia, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, or cochlear implants. PCV13 should be administered to eligible adults in addition to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, the vaccine currently recommended for these groups of adults. The evidence for the benefits and risk of PCV13 vaccination of adults with immunocompromising conditions was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework and designated as a Category A recommendation. This report outlines the new ACIP recommendations for PCV13 use; explains the recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 among adults with immunocompromising conditions, functional or anatomic asplenia, CSF leaks, or cochlear implants; and summarizes the evidence considered by ACIP to make its recommendations. For the full article, please see MMWR October 12, 2012, Use of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine for Adults with Immunocompromising Conditions: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6140.pdf MDPH at http://www.mass.gov/flu
Boston Public Health Commission at http://www.bphc.org/flu
CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
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Flood Insurance and Why It's Important
Floods can happen anywhere at any time, but certain areas across the US are particularly prone to flooding. To help communities understand their risk, flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps, FIRMs) have been created to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-to-low risk and undetermined-risk areas. To prepare for a flood, it is important to for individuals and community partners to know they should:
- Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
- Create a personal flood file containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place.
- For more information about safeguarding your possessions, visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
- Develop a family emergency plan.
For more information about flooding and flood insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov.
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Pre-Storm Hospital Checklist
YNHHS-CEPDR - Nov 9, 2012. On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy produced flooding and record-breaking storm surges along the eastern coastline and inland. This presented challenges to acute care hospitals affecting their ability to provide uninterrupted healthcare services. While hospitals may have been prepared for a surge of patients and short-term loss of electrical power, the storm's devastation caused many hospitals in the area (by some estimates at least eight in New York City and New Jersey) to be evacuated. Other hospitals, that were able to shelter-in-place, accepted patients from those without power. At one point, there were 100 facilities including hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New Jersey on generator power. Planning continues to be one of the keys factors to ensuring hospital resiliency. In support of this, YNHHS-CEPDR has developed a Pre-Storm Hospital Checklist that may provide additional assistance in preparing for a disaster. Click here to learn more.
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BatchGEO
BEMS - Nov 9, 2012. Google offers a free application called BatchGeo to assist in creating maps with multiple points. From spreadsheets, to tables in web pages, databases-anywhere you can visualize a table with location data you can paste it into BatchGeo. If you are starting from scratch, we recommend using our Spreadsheet Template to get started with your data, then simply copy the data over to BatchGeo. We make our best guess at your intended columns like the address, city, state, zip code, or latitude/longitude. You may want to set the options yourself if you don't like the default behavior. We geocode your postcodes/addresses and make your map. It may take a few minutes depending on how many addresses you have, if you already had latitude and longitude in your data it will map instantly. After you are done mapping the addresses you can save to a web page using the "Continue & Save" option. They also have options for mobile maps in the form of native and cross platform apps for many GPS enabled mobile phones and tablets including iPhone/iPad, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7. http://batchgeo.com/
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Google Crisis Map
DelValle - Nov 9, 2012. Assembled by the Google Crisis Response team, the Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy was intended to assist individuals in tracking the storm's progress and provide updated emergency information. In the aftermath of Sandy, it provides valuable information including Hess fuel inventory status, power outage information, pharmacy closures and openings, and flood water information. http://google.org/crisismap
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Property Inventory "Memory Jogger"
DelValle - Nov 9, 2012. The Personal Property "Memory Jogger" is a free tool that helps individuals prepare an accurate list of items and their respective values. With over 5,000 editable pre-populated items ranging from a can opener in the kitchen category to a piano in the musical equipment category, the template can be used to both prepare for disasters and to recover from them. http://www.theredguidetorecovery.com/recovery-tools/personal-property-memory-jogger/
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HealthMap Vaccine Finder
NACCHO - Nov 8, 2012. HealthMap Vaccine Finder provides a central location where LHDs, pharmacies, and approved vaccination clinics can list information about their influenza clinics. Providers may register to participate at https://flushot.healthmap.org/admin/signup. Once approved, providers must maintain up-to-date information and schedules for their clinics. http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nacchoa/issues/2012-11-07/2.html
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| Training and Education Top |
Upcoming Courses/Events by DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness serves Eastern Massachusetts emergency preparedness and response training and education needs by offering the following opportunities for a wide spectrum of providers: - All Hazards Disaster Response and Protection for Healthcare Personnel - Awareness Modules
- Nov 15 & 16 - Melrose, MA
- Dec 6 - Andover, MA
- Applying the Incident Command System (ICS) to Your Healthcare Emergency Response
- Nov 27 - Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, MA
- Emergency Planning for the Diverse Needs of Communities
- Nov 28 - DelValle Institute, Boston, MA
- Continuity of Operations Planning Made Practical
- Dec 4 - DelValle Institute, Boston, MA
- Shelter Operations and Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS)
- Dec 5 - DelValle Institute, Boston, MA
- Basic Disaster Life Support
- Dec 11 - DelValle Institute, Boston, MA
Medical Preparedness and Response to Bombing Incidents (MGT 348/PER 233). NEW Course! Dec 12-13 in Boston, Jan 24-25 in Lowell, Feb 12-13 in New Bedford. Geared towards first receivers and first responders, this two-day course addresses medical preparedness for and response to blast effects through a combination of lectures, small group activities and tabletop participant exercises. A joint effort between New Mexico Tech's Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (NMT/EMRTC) and the Texas Engineering Extension Service's National Emergency Response and Rescue Center (TEEX/NERRTC), the course is immensely popular and course dates are already booked through 2014. http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1110957
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Incident Command System and other MEMA courses
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's Training and Exercise Unit offers emergency preparedness trainings, seminars, workshops and exercise support to help communities of the Commonwealth prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of disasters and emergency events. Incident Command System 300 - (3-day course) - Berlin Fire Station on Nov 27
- Barnstable County Complex on Dec 15
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Jan 16
- Worcester EMS on Jan 22
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Feb 26
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Mar 27
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on May 1
Incident Command System 400 - (2-day course) - DelValle Institute - O'Neill Room on Nov 27
- Ashburnham Public Safety Building on Dec 4
- North Adams Ambulance Service on Dec 12
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Feb 6
- Worcester EMS on Feb 20
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Mar 13
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on Apr 3
- Worcester EMS on May 22
- MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room on May 30
Basic Public Information Officer Course - - MEMA Headquarters Training Room on Dec 12
Visit our web site at http://mematraining.chs.state.ma.us/TRS/ for more details.
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Whooping Cough Webinar
Whooping Cough at Record Levels...and Not Slowing Down free webinar on Nov 14, 2012 at 2pm ET. Featuring Alison Patti, MPH, CHES, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Veronica McNally, Parent Advocate; and Yvonne Garcia, Health Communications Specialist, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Objectives:
- Describe emerging trends in pertussis epidemiology
- List pertussis vaccine recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Describe how to diagnose pertussis and not overlook it during flu season
- Identify materials and resources for pertussis education and outreach
Hosted by t he VIC Network, a nationwide "virtual immunization community" of health educators, public health communicators and others who promote immunizations to exchange and share resources, materials and the best practices. Click here to register.
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Managerial Safety and Health - FEMA online course
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Comings and Goings
Welcome to Rebekah Fiehn, Administrative Coordinator for the League's Oral Health Initiatives and Emergency Preparedness Programs. The League's own Dianne Goodridge will retire from her position at the League on November 30, 2012 after working with the League for over 27 years. Dianne was gracious in conveying how much she has valued her working relationships with the League, our affiliates and members. She will be deeply missed by all. Please note that Harbor Health Services recently announced that their Hyannis community health center name has changed from the Mid Upper Cape Community Health Center to Harbor Community Health Center - Hyannis.
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Job Opportunities
Emergency Preparedness Educator - Boston Public Health Commission/DelValle Institute. Responsible for developing and delivering DelValle Institute education and training curricula, exercises and other programs to achieve the Institute's mission, with a focus on programming within the Institute's Planning and Preparedness Training Section. Plan, deliver and report on DelValle Institute activities for Metropolitan Boston and Eastern Massachusetts health and medical audiences, including but not limited to: Boston Medical Reserve Corps; public health professionals; neighborhood-based citizens groups; Community Health Center personnel; hospital staff; public safety professionals; pharmacy, medical and nursing students. Read more at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/bphc/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=549422 . Director, Public Safety & Emergency Management - HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster, MA. The Director, Public Safety and Emergency Management, is responsible for all Security Department operations and Emergency Management of the HealthAlliance system. The incumbent develops and provides a safe and secure environment for the hospital community and delivers services that are responsive to our internal and external customers. Read more at http://www.mahospitalcareers.com/job/323180/director-public-safety-and-emergency-management?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed .
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| If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Tina Wright, Emergency Management Program Manager and Public Information Coordinator
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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