Bioterrorism Preparedness Program

What is Rhode Island doing to prepare for a possible bioterrorist event?

The RI department of health is working in many different areas to prepare for a possible bioterrorism event

• Detection, identification and surveillanceCommunicationsEnhanced laboratory facilities and functions
• Close collaboration, education, and training with health professionals, hospitals, and our 39 cities and towns

Highlights of the RI department of health efforts to prepare for a possible bioterrorism event include:

Surveillance

Increased overall disease surveillance and epidemiological capacity for enhanced early detection, identification and tracking of diseases.

Developing a surveillance system for smallpox vaccine adverse events and management.

Through the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens at Memorial Hospital, conducted more than 70 training programs with health care professionals to ensure prompt diagnosis, treatment and reporting of human cases of disease that may be associated with radiological, chemical or biological terrorist attacks.

Linked department, state, and federal emergency preparedness and response plans to create a response network for public health and medical emergencies

Communications

To ensure good communication with municipalities, first responders, and the health care community we established and maintain the Health Alert Network (HAN). HAN includes communications technology, training and public information for municipalities, first responders and the health care community

.Equipped a HEALTH-based, 20-phone "hot line" for use during a public health emergency. Our hot line will be staffed with people able to respond to calls and answer questions in multiple languages.

Established an Emergency Communications Network which ensures 2-way contact via phone, fax and e-mail, 24/7 during a health emergency with cities, towns and hospital public information staff. Established emergency communication systems for major Rhode Island Water Utilities

Conducted research on the media’s and public’s knowledge of and perceived needs during a public health (bioterrorism) emergency. Based on the identified needs of the public we developed targeted information programs including brochures, an updated website, and various community outreach initiatives

For rapid dissemination of information to the public we frequently update the HEALTH web site (HEALTH.ri.gov) with bioterrorism preparedness information. Our information is produced by our staff, the national Centers for Disease Control an Department of Health and Human Services.

Health provider and hospital training, education, and collaboration

Helped establish Center for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens (CBEP) at Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket. The Center develops medical resources and conducts trainings on biological, chemical, and radiological agents of terrorism. The goal of the CBEP is to educate the medical community to effectively identify and respond to terrorist events.

Established collaborative relations with a statewide Hospital Preparedness Planning Committee to assist hospitals with planning activities and statewide disaster response issuesDeveloping and practicing plans to receive vaccines, medications and other supplies from the federal government and distribute them to all municipalities and hospitals in what will be a massive mobilization of resources.

Identified, evaluated and purchasing specialized equipment for hospitals to respond to biological/chemical incidents.

For continuing education among health care community we increased distance learning to nearing weekly educational opportunities. Distance learning is a primary education mode for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers.

Laboratory enhancement, training, and collaboration

Trained and equipped HEALTH Laboratory personnel to perform sophisticated molecular methods for the detection of potential bacterial agents of bioterrorism in clinical specimens and environmental samples within four hours of collecting the sample.

Constructing a "Biosafety Level 3" suite in which highly infectious microorganisms can be safely isolated and identified (after increasing security of the building and the rooms where infectious microorganisms such as Anthrax are tested).

Food and Water Security Education with Cities and Towns

Updating the Department’s "Guide to Investigating Foodborne Outbreaks" to include bioterrorism information.Co-sponsored with the University of Rhode Island a bioterrorism-focused food safety/security education program for individuals employed in the food industry.

Incorporated possible bioterrorism events into security/vulnerability assessments of public water systems.

And much more….