UPMC Preparedness
Frequently Asked Questions about UPMC's Medical Preparedness
UPMC receives award for bioterrorism preparedness plans
In Western Pennsylvania, UPMC is serving as a regional resource for planning and detection of, response to, and containment of negative consequences of terroristic events including the treatment and follow up of affected residents. All of the health system's 19 hospitals, linked via the UPMC Command Center, are playing an important role in this effort.
UPMC is ready to protect and defend. Disaster planning is ongoing and continuously being evaluated and improved. Some of the ways we have prepared ourselves are:
- Safety Link
- Bioterrorism Disaster Plan and Disaster Drill Information
- UPMC and the Voluntary Smallpox Vaccination Program
- UPMC's partnership with the Air Force Medical Service
- Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS) System
Safety Link
UPMC introduced the Safety Link (PDF format) symbol internally to brand the unified bioterrorism preparedness effort across its hospitals. UPMC has trained more than 30,000 staff members and more than 5,000 physicians throughout the region in the Safety Link program. Training for emergency first responders, managers, staff, and physicians began in early 2002 and continues. Staff and manager telephone hot lines also were created to provide updates about current issues and medical responses to terroristic attacks.
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Bioterrorism Disaster Plan and Disaster Drill Information
President George W. Bush and other national health and security officials visited Pittsburgh in February 2002 and applauded UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University for their efforts in the war against bioterrorism.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, UPMC has implemented an All Hazards Disaster Plan that enables the health system to support and effective regional response to possible terroristic events; these procedures complement and expand the previously existing UPMC emergency and disaster plans related to biologic, chemical, and nuclear events.
In 2002 alone, UPMC trained several hundred hospital "first responders" in bioterrorism threat awareness and in the use of personal protective equipment. In fall 2002 in Allegheny County, UPMC played a significant part in a county-wide disaster drill that enabled health system and other emergency responders to evaluate their level of readiness to confront a potential terrorist attack— namely one involving hazardous bioterroristic agents. The result: UPMC and its partners passed with flying colors.
UPMC and the Voluntary Smallpox Vaccination Program
In December 2002, President George W. Bush announced a plan to better protect the American people against the threat of smallpox attack by hostile groups or governments by forming volunteer smallpox response teams that will provide critical services to their fellow Americans in the event of a smallpox attack. UPMC, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, has agreed to participate in this plan.
UPMC is cooperating with state and local agencies to assure that its hospitals will be prepared in the event of an outbreak. Program leaders have been designated in each UPMC hospital to identify staff members who will be offered the smallpox vaccination. These voluntary staff members will be given the smallpox vaccination so they will be able to respond safely if an outbreak occurs.
UPMC again is taking a leadership position by agreeing to join this important initiative. The health system's participation demonstrates its continued willingness to protect the health of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania.
UPMC's Partnership with the Air Force Medical Service
UPMC is participating in an effort to build a sophisticated electronic telemedicine system that will enable the U.S. Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) to coordinate care for personnel stationed in remote areas and improve bioterrorism surveillance.
Thanks to $8.5 million in federal funds, UPMC and the AFMS are creating an electronic patient information and teleconsultation system that will enable Air Force Physicians and filed medical technicians, along with private sector specialists, to communicate almost instantaneously despite being hundreds or thousands of miles apart.
RODS
The Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS) system, for which UPMC Presbyterian had been the pilot testing health care site, is an early warning system for potential exposure of the population to bioterroristic agents. RODS was developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, and the system was used in Salt Lake City for the 2002 winter Olympic Games. The program has received national acclaim and is now being extended throughout Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems.