Points Of Dispending Layout and Design

1. Points Of DispendingLayout and Design Understanding the nature of POD components is key to maximizing flow and efficiency Presented By: Gene J. Mikeska, MPH

2. Objectives: • Define a POD • Understand the purpose of a POD • Know when a POD opens and why • Define basic POD models • Understand POD operations and organization • Identify common components of a POD

3. Objectives continued: • 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

4. What is a POD? PODs can be virtually any size and may be open or closed to the general public • POD is an acronym meaning “Point of Dispensing” • They are either ADHOCK or pre-selected locations within a community • PODs dispense much needed medication, vaccine or supplies to local residents and visitors during a public health emergency

5. What is the purpose of a POD? • 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) • To rapidly respond and provide life saving medications, vaccines or supplies • Designed to treat large populations in a short time • Are normally locally operated and designed to work under local emergency management coordinators

6. When Would We Open A POD? • During an epidemic • H1N1 Flu 2009 • Terrorist incident • Anthrax mail-out October 2001 • Natural disaster • Tetanus vaccine for responders and those returning Bastrop Fires Fall 2011

7. Basic POD Models • Traditional or walk through medical model: • Used most often when time is available to use medical staff to administer vaccine and medications • Express non-medical POD Model: • Used when there is no time to spare and large populations must be served to safe lives • Drive through POD models: • Designed so people do not have to exit their vehicles to be treated.

8. Other Models: • Closed PODs – some jurisdictions are using closed POD systems to reduce the burden on public PODs. • Large businesses • Public infrastructure • Hospitals • Nursing homes • Home health • Jails

9. Other Models Continued: • Drive through PODs • 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.

10. HOW it works • There are four fundamental Steps Clients will complete as they go through a POD: • Fill out the form • Show the form • Pick up medication / get vaccine • Turn in the form before they exit

11. Fill Out The Form • 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

12. Show The Form: • 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

13. Pick Up Medicine: • Depending on the circumstances clients may receive antibiotic medication or a vaccine • For a vaccine, each member of a household will have to see the provider in person • When medications only are given, family members can typically pick up medication for the entire family, this reduces the traffic in the POD

14. Turn In Form & Exit • 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 • Workers at exit post should also be able to answer lingering questions or at very least identify who can

15. What Makes It Work? • 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

16. POD Commander & Core Staff • POD Site Commander / Manager • Command Staff • General Staff • Planning • Operations • Logistics • Finance

17. POD Core Roles or Functions: • Greeting • Form distribution • Triage • Medical Evaluation • Transportation Assistance

18. Core Functions Continued: • Mental health evaluation • Briefing / Public Health Education • Drug triage • Dispensing medication or vaccine • Form collection

19. How do know if you need a POD? • 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?

20. Who Are Your Planning Partners? • Public Health • Emergency Management Officials • Health Care Professionals • Law Enforcement/ Legal • Community Relations • Health Care system Representatives • Other agencies / Volunteers / Agra-life • Media

21. Tips for selecting A POD Location: • 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

22. Preparedness – Resources • www.pandemicflu.gov • www.texasprepares.org • www.ready.gov • www.dshs.state.tx.us

23. Thank You Gene J. Mikeska, MPH SNS Coordinator DSHS-Region 7 gene.mikeska@dshs.state.tx.us Business:(254) 778-6744, ext 6754 Business cell: (254) 624-9359