Evidence Report on Regionalization of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Planning

Dena M. Bravata, M.D., M.S.

Project DirectorStanford-University of California, San Francisco Evidence-based Practice Center

Evidence Report

• Purpose: to synthesize the published evidence on a given topic

• Method:– Search literature for relevant articles– Abstract data from each article– Evaluate the evidence

1. Medical, public health– Identify key tasks for responding to

bioterrorism-related events

2. Supply chain, logistics– Identify best practices for designing regional

stockpiles and distribution systems

3. Emergency management– Identify key components of mutual aid

agreements

4. Government documents – Identify ongoing bioterrorism response

planning efforts

Literature Sources

1. Design a completely new system2. Consider bioterrorism preparedness

planning in the context of existing response infrastructures

• Public health• First responders• Hospital systems• Laboratories

Two Approaches

• Planning and Preparedness• Field assessment and triage • Diagnosis • Management of acutely ill • Prevention • Surveillance • Outbreak Investigation• Communication • Emergency Management

Key TasksSubtasksResources

Preliminary Findings

• Many systems • Few evaluations

Utility of the Evidence Report

• Identify regional response organizations

• Identify available evidence about regionalization of key tasks

• Simulations of regionalization– Stockpiling/distributing

antibiotics/vaccine– Surveillance

To obtain a copy of the Evidence Report

• “Regionalization of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response” (available after December 2003)

• Free of charge:– www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm– AHRQ Clearinghouse: 800.358.9295

Information Technology for Bioterrorism Preparedness

• Detection/Diagnosis (78 systems)• Management and Prevention (18

systems)• Surveillance systems (90 systems)*• Reporting and Communication (26

systems)*• Integrated Surveillance, Communication,

and Command and Control (7 systems)*

*High relevance to surge capacity and regionalization

Humanitarian Logistics• Primary Objective: Timely mobilization of

financing and goods• Tasks: procurement, transport, tracking and

tracing, customs clearance, local transportation, warehousing and last mile delivery

• Fritz Institute– Non-profit – Mission: apply logistics expertise from the

corporate/academic community to humanitarian relief

– http://www.fritzinstitute.org