Beneficial Practices for Improving

BiosurveillanceMass Gatherings

February 27, 2014

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Webinar Series Hosts

Edward L. Baker, MD, MPHDirector, North Carolina Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center

Research Professor, Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Webinar Series Hosts

Perry F. Smith, MDResearch Professor, Epidemiology, State University of New York at Albany

Former New York State Epidemiologist

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NCPERRC Research on Biosurveillance

2013 research project with Public Health Informatics Institute to: Identify guiding principles and best practices

Provide recommendations for biosurveillance system improvement

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What did we learn?

Information systems needed during event should be used every day

Relationships leading to data sharing should be nurtured before the event

Continued investment in systems and staff needed for systems to be prepared

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Translating Research into Practice

Series of 4 webinars presented by:

North Carolina Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (NCPERRC) at UNC-Chapel Hill

Supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response

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Focus of Our Research -Improving Biosurveillance During Public Health Emergencies:

Mass Gatherings

Natural Disasters

Outbreaks

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NCPERRC Webinar Series: Improving Biosurveillance Systems

Educate public health practitioners regarding: Information and information systems needed to

manage event

Investments needed to assure systems are ready for next event

Focus on PHPR Capability #13- Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation

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Webinar agenda

Mass Gathering case study with guests from Boston

Core information needs and systems for mass gathering situational awareness

Your questions Use Question Box to enter your questions

Resources in Knowledge Repository

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Today’s Case Study - Mass Gatherings

The Boston Marathon Prior to 2013

2013

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Today’s guests

From Boston Public Health Commission:

Julia Gunn RN, MPH, Director of the Communicable Disease Control Division

S. Atyia Martin, MPS, Director, Office of Public Health Preparedness

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Office of Public Health Preparedness

Boston Marathon

World’s Largest Marathon Begun in 1897

27,000 runners in 2013

500,000+ spectators

Third Monday in April- Patriot’s Day

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Boston Marathon - 1910

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Boston Marathon 2012

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Boston Marathon 2012Major Public Health Concerns

Weather: Heat vs Cold

Injuries: Athletes and Spectators

Dehydration

Emergency health care

Communicable Disease

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Boston Marathon 2012

What information was needed by public health to address these concerns?

How did you provide that information?

What had you done in advance to build your information systems to meet these needs?

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Boston Marathon 2012 and 2013

What were your key lessons learned in 2012?

What did you do after 2012 Marathon to improve your information systems?

How did you modify/enhance information systems to meet anticipated needs in 2013?

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Monday, April 15, 2013: Bombings Occur

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Marathon 2013 - Public Health

What were major public health actions after bombing occurred? Patient tracking

Support to families and runners

Information for decision makers

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Marathon 2013 - Public Health

How did you assure linkage between public health and health care system? EMS

Hospitals

Urgent care

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What information was needed and how was it obtained?

What were the core information systems that Boston Public Health Commission managed? Emergency department reporting

Patient tracking

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Community Support Centers

Marathon 2013Communicating with the Public

What were some of the communication challenges with getting information out to the public?

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Support Services: Public Information

Key Lessons Learned from 2013

What were your key lessons learned?

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Preparation for 2014

What are you now doing to prepare for 2014 Boston Marathon?

What investments are you now making to enhance information flow for mass gatherings or any other public health emergency?

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Summary of Case Study

• What best practices are seen here?• What guiding principles does the

case exemplify?

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Implications for Action

What should others do to prepare for mass gatherings? National Conventions

Major Sporting Events (e.g. Super Bowl)

Large Concerts

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Ask the Experts

Enter your questions in the QUESTION BOX

We will recognize audience members and direct questions to panel

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Key Points

Core information needs for mass gatherings Health Status

Health Risks and Hazards

Health Services

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Key Points

Core information sources for mass gatherings Emergency department activity

Patient tracking

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Post-webinar resources

Knowledge Repository Contributions from Boston Public Health Commission

Archived webinar and slides

Online resources

Public Health Informatics Institute course

Research report and more

Talk about it – Discussion forum with Facebook, Twitter & Google login options

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Biosurveillance Knowledge Repository biosurveillance.weebly.com

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Resources from the Boston Public Health Commission

Boston Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Charter

Emergency Support Function 8: Public Health & Medical Services Coordinated Response & Recovery Efforts After the Boston Bombings

Office of Public Health Preparedness 2013 Year in Review

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Other resources

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Public Health Informatics Institute www.phii.org

Upcoming Webinars

March 25, 2-3:30pm EST Natural disasters - Hurricane Preparedness

Lessons learned from Florida and New York City

April 24, 2-3:30pm EST Outbreaks - Seasonal Flu

Lessons learned from Marion County, IN

June 5, 2-3:30pm EST Prioritizing your biosurveillance enhancements

Insights from national experts

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Conclusion

Thanks to guests

Thanks to CDC for support

Thanks to audience

And lastly… please complete the post-webinar evaluation!

Contact us at NCPERRC@email.unc.edu40