Advanced Practice Centers, Massachusetts

THE CAMBRIDGE ADVANCED PRACTICE CENTER

The Cambridge APC is a resource for local public health agencies throughout the nation as it develops plans and builds local and regional capacity for responding to an act of bioterrorism or other public health emergency.

The Cambridge APC has made unique contributions to the nation’s preparedness for a bioterrorist event or a disease outbreak of national significance, including development of a number of tools and resources for preparedness that can be used by public health departments nationwide. The Cambridge APC is developing regional strategies for public health preparedness that enhance response capacities in multi-community regions that operate without formal county or district structures. Some of these products include:

• A template operations plan for emergency dispensing sites, including variations for oral dispensing (as for antibiotics for anthrax exposure) and injection (as for vaccine or other injectable such as Immunoglobulin).
• A model conference-tabletop exercise on avian influenza that highlights the role of public health in an emergency and builds relationships among local public health, public safety, and municipal leaders.
• Evaluation tools, including community preparedness needs assessment.

At the Cambridge APC, work is underway to continue to be a resource to public health departments. Future products include:

• A model agreement for public health mutual aid and memoranda of understanding to enhance resource sharing across jurisdictions.
• Exercise scenarios designed to build regional collaboration. Other communities can alter these scenarios based on their specific circumstances and needs.
• Procedures and tools for tracking emergency dispensing clinic supplies and costs, and evaluating clinic operations.
• Model response protocols for syndromic surveillance activities.

 

For more information on this APC or these tools, please contact:

Lynn Schoeff
Director of Emergency Preparedness
119 Windsor Street
Cambridge MA 02139
Tel: (617) 665-3819
Fax: (617) 665-3888
Email: lschoeff@challiance.org