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