Preparing for Public Health Emergencies:A Community Working Together

Stephanie Nelson, RN, MSNHealth Officer

Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) Bozeman, Montana

Objectives

• Describe how a rural local public health system aligned resources to effectively address public health risks

• Describe how this alignment worked to address last years influenza vaccine shortage

Gallatin, Montana

Montana State University

Public Health Challenges

Each year, 3 million visitors enter West Yellowstone.

Park management runs up against contentious issues.

In my community, what is the most important area for improvement as we work with preparedness partners?

Question

A. Formal Agreements

B. Communication

C. Leveraging Limited Resources

D. Real event problem-solving

Post 9/11 Incidents

• Anthrax on east coast

• Mysterious powder on tomatoes at MSU and the Bozeman Post Office

• Smallpox vaccination directive

Gallatin Community Clinic

Bozeman Deaconess Hospital

Unified Health Command (UHC)

GCCHD

Advisory Team Montana

State University

UHC Strategies

• Align partners and expertise

• Identify and leverage limited resources

• Help create a single message

• Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

• Joint training and exercises

• Real event problem solving

UHC Strategies

UHC in Action: Influenza Vaccine Shortage (2004-05)

Goal 1: Surveillance

Inventory vaccine

Identify high risk

Goal 2: Prevention & Containment

Prioritize CDC’s recommendation

Develop a tiered approach to immunize the public

Create a system by which providers would access vaccine as it became available

UHC in Action: Influenza Vaccine Shortage (2004-05)

Goal 3: Communication

Dissemination of information

Posed the greatest challenges

UHC in Action: Influenza Vaccine Shortage (2004-05)