bridging the gap: rac & public health coordination
DESCRIPTION
Bridging the Gap: RAC & Public Health Coordination. Heart of Texas Regional Advisory Council Best Practices October 25, 2011. To explain the importance of Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and Public Health coordination. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Bridging the Gap: RAC & Public Health
Coordination
Heart of Texas
Regional Advisory Council
Best PracticesOctober 25, 2011
Objectives
• To explain the importance of Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and Public Health coordination.
• To give examples of how HOTRAC has worked with local/regional Public Health to achieve regional goals.
• To describe how this working relationship has proven to strengthen the healthcare system in the HOTRAC Region.
Unique History
• HOTRAC and Public Health began working together during the Smallpox planning.
• Public Health included the RAC in SNS and ChemPack planning and development of SOGs.
• Health Service Region 7 contracted HOTRAC to work on volunteer recruitment and rural county Annex H’s.
• Heart of Texas Region has been lucky to maintain key players in planning. Several have moved among preparedness partners.
Why Coordinate?
• Cooperation is essential to fulfilling ESF-8 mandates.
• Allows for clearer communication among stakeholders and with the community.
• Minimizes regional waste in planning, training, and acquisition of preparedness assets.
• Allows a mixture of knowledge and experience to increase response capabilities.
Methods of Coordination• Multi-Use Alternate Care Sites (i.e. POD, triage, treatment)
• Exercises, Drills, Planning, and Execution
Methods of Coordination, cont.
• Joint Information Center (JIC)
• Sharing of Assets (equipment & supplies)
• Standing Agenda Items on all Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Committee meetings
• Data collection (i.e. H1N1, heat-related illness, wildfire-related illness/death)
• Public Health Alerts (EMResource)
• Infection Control Practioners’ Forum
Benefits of Coordination
• Improved patient care.
• Better public awareness through coordinated messages.
• Grant deliverable coordination.
• Strengthened Regional Health/Medical Plan.
• Seamless data collection as required by local, regional, and state partners.
• Stakeholder awareness of Public Health and RAC activities.
• One-Stop Shop in Emergencies/Disasters
Potential Gaps Noted
• Geographical boundary issues: COGs, RACs, PHR, DPS, etc.
• Responsibility vs. requested boundaries are sometimes blurred.
• Neither entity has a complete list of the others’ housed inventory.
Questions?
Heart of Texas Regional Advisory Council
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
Health Service Region 7