The Role of the Infection Control Practitioner in Bioterrorism Preparedness: Bringing in the Bucks for Bioterrorism

Abstract

ISSUE: Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the subsequent anthrax epidemic, attention has been focused on the ability of hospitals and emergency medical services to respond to bioterrorist events. Hospitals have many needs for bioterrorism preparedness that are typically deferred due to the financial support required to meet those needs. The state of Indiana has taken advantage of a grant provided by the Health Resource & Services Administration (HRSA) to help meet the preparedness needs of hospitals throughout the state. PROJECT: In April 2002, a state advisory committee, the Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness Planning Committee (HBPPC), was formed. The membership consisted of professionals throughout the state from various specialties and backgrounds. The infection control practitioner at Bloomington Hospital represented the hospital, and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Indiana Chapter #76, on the committee. The purpose of the committee was to devise a plan to distribute the $2.5 million dollars Indiana received for hospital preparedness. The committee's objectives were: to assess the current hospital preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks and bioterrorism events, to increase hospitals' ability to handle a surge of infected or injured patients, and to provide for access to pharmaceuticals and supplies necessary to address a disease outbreak or act of bioterrorism. RESULTS: The HBPPC devised a hospital capability assessment for readiness survey which was sent out to all hospitals in Indiana. The state was then divided into ten public health districts. Some of the HBPPC members were assigned to be coordinators for their respective public health districts. The hospitals were required to meet five deliverables as outlined by the HBPPC in order to receive a portion of the grant. The funds the hospitals received ranged from $1500 to $44,000. Since Indiana fulfilled the requirements of the 2002-2003 HRSA grant, they received an additional grant for $10 million dollars for 2004. The hospitals are required to work together to determine their preparedness needs as a district in order to qualify for funding from this grant. LESSONS LEARNED: Infection control practitioners have received recognition for their knowledge and expertise in bioterrorism preparedness since the terrorist attacks in 2001. The HRSA grant has enabled hospitals in Indiana to receive funding in order to improve their bioterrorism capability and readiness.