Transcript Slide 1

Points Of Dispending
Layout and Design
Understanding the nature of POD components
is key to maximizing flow and efficiency
Presented By: Gene J. Mikeska, MPH
Objectives:
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Define a POD
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Understand the purpose of a POD
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Know when a POD opens and why
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Define basic POD models
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Understand POD operations and
organization
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Identify common components of a POD
Objectives continued:
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Understand basic job roles in a POD
Understand basic POD flow
 Identify four fundamental steps POD clients
will experience at your POD
 Understand basic POD planning and staffing
 Understand core POD functions
What is a POD?
PODs can be virtually
any size and may be
open or closed to the
general public
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POD is an acronym meaning
“Point of Dispensing”
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They are either ADHOCK or
pre-selected locations within
a community
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PODs dispense much
needed medication, vaccine
or supplies to local residents
and visitors during a public
health emergency
What is the purpose of a POD?
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Public health emergencies do occur:
– Natural causes (rapid and dangerous disease or
significant weather event)
– Man-made cause (release of biologicals or use of
explosives)
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To rapidly respond and provide life saving
medications, vaccines or supplies
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Designed to treat large populations in a short time
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Are normally locally operated and designed to work
under local emergency management coordinators
When Would We Open A POD?
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During an epidemic
– H1N1 Flu 2009
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Terrorist incident
– Anthrax mail-out October 2001
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Natural disaster
– Tetanus vaccine for responders and those
returning Bastrop Fires Fall 2011
Basic POD Models
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Traditional or walk through medical model:
– Used most often when time is available to use
medical staff to administer vaccine and
medications
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Express non-medical POD Model:
– Used when there is no time to spare and large
populations must be served to safe lives
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Drive through POD models:
– Designed so people do not have to exit their
vehicles to be treated.
Other Models:
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Closed PODs – some jurisdictions are using
closed POD systems to reduce the burden on
public PODs.
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Large businesses
Public infrastructure
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Home health
Jails
Other Models Continued:
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Drive through PODs
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Are easily done
Clients can stay in their cars
Can be used in almost any jurisdiction
Are convenient
Require more traffic control personnel
Staff are at increased danger for injury
Staff may be required to be on their feet for most
of the time.
HOW it works
There are four fundamental Steps
Clients will complete as they go
through a POD:
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4.
Fill out the form
Show the form
Pick up medication / get vaccine
Turn in the form before they exit
Fill Out The Form
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When clients arrive at the POD site they will
go through a registration process:
– They will be provided form(s) to complete
– They will be given information about the
disease, agent or exposure
– They will be given information about the
medication or vaccine being offered
– They may appear scared, concerned and/
or easily agitated or even sick
Show The Form:
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Screening/Triage staff are a secondary line to
screen clients for obvious signs of illness
Triage will screen forms for appropriate
content
Some PODs use express/assistance tracks
Staff evaluate clients particular medical
information to determine which medication
will be provided
Clients will be directed to the dispensing area
Pick Up Medicine:
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Depending on the circumstances clients may
receive antibiotic medication or a vaccine
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For a vaccine, each member of a household
will have to see the provider in person
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When medications only are given, family
members can typically pick up medication for
the entire family, this reduces the traffic in the
POD
Turn In Form & Exit
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Before clients exit, they turn in their forms. A staff or
security member should be posted at the exit
– To make sure all forms are turned in before clients depart
– To keep people from entering the exit door
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Workers at exit post should also be able to answer
lingering questions or at very least identify who can
What Makes It Work?
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A good Incident Commander / POD Manager
Core staff of 6-8 well trained staff leaders
Partners some 10-30 per shift
Protocols
Supplies and stockpile
Floor plan / flow plan
Support services
Transportation
POD Commander & Core Staff
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POD Site Commander / Manager
– Command Staff
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General Staff
– Planning
– Operations
– Logistics
– Finance
POD Core Roles or Functions:
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Greeting
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Form distribution
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Triage
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Medical Evaluation
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Transportation Assistance
Core Functions Continued:
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Mental health evaluation
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Briefing / Public Health Education
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Drug triage
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Dispensing medication or vaccine
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Form collection
How do know if you need a
POD?
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Do you have a population?
Does your County include your population in
their plan?
Who is your Local Health Department?
Learn the POD plan for your area
Is the POD plan adequate?
Do you exercise your POD plan?
Who Are Your Planning
Partners?
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Public Health
Emergency Management Officials
Health Care Professionals
Law Enforcement/ Legal
Community Relations
Health Care system Representatives
Other agencies / Volunteers / Agra-life
Media
Tips for selecting A POD Location:
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Identify key partners before selecting a POD
location (EMC’s, SO, LPD, PH, property owner)
Prioritize minimum needs / requirements for the
POD (size, access, restrooms, docks ect…)
Select an appropriate primary and secondary
facility (work out an agreement with property
management)
Work with Key partners for proposed traffic flow
to and from the POD
Develop your interior POD flow design
Preparedness – Resources
• www.pandemicflu.gov
• www.texasprepares.org
• www.ready.gov
• www.dshs.state.tx.us
Thank You
Gene J. Mikeska, MPH
SNS Coordinator
DSHS-Region 7
[email protected]
Business:(254) 778-6744, ext 6754
Business cell: (254) 624-9359