NCJ Number
190375
Journal
American Journal Health-Syst Pharm Volume: 03 Issue: 58 Dated: 2001 Pages: 233-237
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper describes one community's efforts to become pharmaceutically prepared for an attack with biological agents.
Abstract
In response to recent bioterrorist activities, including a local scare in 1999 involving anthrax, the pharmacy department at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane, WA, was asked to develop a plan for bioterrorism preparedness. Work on the plan included a literature search and contacts with sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For each biological agent, information was compiled about symptom onset, treatment, post exposure prophylaxis, patient isolation precautions, and availability of antidotes at local hospitals (all data included in the paper). A procedure was developed for obtaining antidotes that might not be available or stocked in sufficient quantities. The information was presented to area hospitals and trauma centers, drug wholesalers, hospital risk management personnel, and emergency management personnel. Dozens of emergency and medical personnel attended a day-long program on domestic preparedness. Citywide cooperation was obtained on how to respond to a mass exposure to a bioterrorism agent. The paper contains a list of 15 medications stocked for treatment and prophylaxis of infection by anthrax, plague, tularemia, brucellosis and Q fever. It also contains Spokane citywide policy on obtaining pharmacologic antidotes for terrorism exposures, and sources of information on bioterrorism preparedness. Table, references, appendixes