Points Of Dispensing Research Articles

Designing the Response to an Anthrax Attack

Federal, state, and local planners are developing plans for large-scale campaigns to dispense medications in response to bioterrorist attack. The plans must integrate supply chain operations, administrative and clinical processes, and client logistics. The Center for Emergency Response Analytics (CERA) used discrete-event simulation to help one community develop its plan for responding to an anthrax attack. CERA’s simulation models enabled evaluation of candidate points of dispensing (PODs), alternative dispensing processes, staffing plans, and traffic-management strategies. CERA used sensitivity analysis to ensure that the plan was robust—that it would work even if some of the underlying assumptions were wrong. CERA determined how many PODs the community would need, how to staff them, and how to manage client traffic and parking.

TOPOFF 3: Comments and recommendations from members of the New Jersey Universities Consortium for Homeland Security Research

Faculty members from the New Jersey Uni - versities Consortium for Homeland Security Research served as observers in the TOPOFF 3 exercise in New Jersey in April 2005. The exercise involved a simulated release of pneumonic plague, with symptomatic individuals sent to hospitals and asymptomatic individuals sent to points of dispensing (PODs) to receive antibiotics. This paper summarizes Consortium members’ observations about the exercise, with emphasis on the PODs’ strategies and implementation, and on the role of communications and command centers. The future role of university collaborations with local and federal agencies in similar counter-terrorism exercises is also discussed.

Embracing Computer Modeling to Address Pandemic Influenza in the 21st Century

Reacting to a pandemic influenza outbreak will require the mass distribution of vaccine, when available, which will require county health departments to set up and operate one or more mass vaccination clinics, also known as points of dispensing (PODs). Carefully planning these PODs before an event occurs is a difficult but important job. First, this article describes a tool--the Clinic Planning Model Generator computer program--designed to help public health agencies evaluate and make adjustments to their POD plans. The Clinic Planning Model Generator was built on data from a smallpox exercise and other biological agent POD exercises. Second, this article demonstrates the application of the Clinic Planning Model Generator through an example pandemic influenza scenario. This work is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Montgomery County, Maryland's Advanced Practice Center for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, and the Institute for Systems Research at the University of Maryland.

Outcomes of a Community Pharmacy-Based Diabetes Monitoring Program

Evaluate the effects of a point-of-dispensing (POD) pharmaceutical care model on outcomes of self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) results, SMBG frequency, and medication adherence rates for patients with diabetes. Measure the rate at which physicians implemented therapy recommendations made by community pharmacists. 12-month, noncrossover, single-group trial. Two independent community pharmacies in Richmond, Va. 101 patients were initially identified as potential participants; of the 82 that elected to participate in the study, 62 (76%) completed the first 6 months and 52 (63%) completed the entire 12-month study period. This pharmaceutical care program was integrated into the dispensing function: subjective and objective data related to diabetes care were gathered with each prescription refill. Recommendations were made to patients and their physicians. SMBG values and frequency at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Diabetic medication adherence rates for 1 year before and during participation were evaluated. Community pharmacist recommendations and implementation status were followed over the 12-month period. Average morning blood glucose values (n = 27) decreased from 178.6 mg/dL to 159.3 mg/dL, from baseline to 6 months, respectively (p = .07). Blood glucose values (n = 23) at baseline and 12 months decreased from 179.0 mg/dL to 149.7 mg/dL, respectively (p < .05). There was no statistical difference in SMBG frequency. A diabetes medication adherence rate of 90% was maintained over the 12-month study period. Physicians implemented 15 of 20 (75%) recommendations. This model offers an effective and efficient mechanism for providing pharmaceutical care for patients with diabetes.