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Effectiveness of a Bioreadiness Training Program
May 2004
E29
LESSONS LEARNED: An exercise will identify weaknesses in written bioterrorism plans. Weaknesses that we identified include: event communication plans, volunteer management, security, and accommodating persons with special needs and homebound persons. Implementation of community emergency plans requires cooperation between many agencies.
Effectiveness of a Bioreadiness Training Program D Haiduven* C Kabrick J McCluskey University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study was undertaken to measure the effectiveness of an 8-hour Bioreadiness training program. A pre- and post-test design was utilized to gauge baseline knowledge, as well as learning from the presented materials. The null hypothesis assumed there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores. METHODS: An identical test (nine multiple choice and one short answer questions) was administered to participants before and after the program. Data were analyzed with a paired T-Test and a Wilcoxin Signed rank test. RESULTS: The analysis included 230 of 300 participants who completed both tests. Mean scores on pre-and posttests were 63% and 79%, respectively. The obtained T value (12) was greater than the critical T value (1.645), which indicates a significant difference. The paired T-test (alpha¼ 0.05) had a significant value of \0.0001. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, based upon a significant difference between the two test scores. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with bioreadiness issues increased after an 8-hour training program. However, the effect may be under-represented because 39% of persons left the short-answer question blank on the post-test. On the pre-test, only 9% did not complete this exercise. In both cases, a missing answer was scored as an incorrect response. Based on these observations, the program was redesigned to ensure that all objectives are covered in the program. In addition, the short-answer question is now only in the post-test. Persons involved in training may find this format useful.
The Role of the Infection Control Practitioner in Bioterrorism Preparedness: Bringing in the Bucks for Bioterrorism V VanDeventer Bloomington Hospital and Health Care System, Bloomington, Indiana
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
E29
LESSONS LEARNED: An exercise will identify weaknesses in written bioterrorism plans. Weaknesses that we identified include: event communication plans, volunteer management, security, and accommodating persons with special needs and homebound persons. Implementation of community emergency plans requires cooperation between many agencies.
Effectiveness of a Bioreadiness Training Program D Haiduven* C Kabrick J McCluskey University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study was undertaken to measure the effectiveness of an 8-hour Bioreadiness training program. A pre- and post-test design was utilized to gauge baseline knowledge, as well as learning from the presented materials. The null hypothesis assumed there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores. METHODS: An identical test (nine multiple choice and one short answer questions) was administered to participants before and after the program. Data were analyzed with a paired T-Test and a Wilcoxin Signed rank test. RESULTS: The analysis included 230 of 300 participants who completed both tests. Mean scores on pre-and posttests were 63% and 79%, respectively. The obtained T value (12) was greater than the critical T value (1.645), which indicates a significant difference. The paired T-test (alpha¼ 0.05) had a significant value of \0.0001. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, based upon a significant difference between the two test scores. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with bioreadiness issues increased after an 8-hour training program. However, the effect may be under-represented because 39% of persons left the short-answer question blank on the post-test. On the pre-test, only 9% did not complete this exercise. In both cases, a missing answer was scored as an incorrect response. Based on these observations, the program was redesigned to ensure that all objectives are covered in the program. In addition, the short-answer question is now only in the post-test. Persons involved in training may find this format useful.
The Role of the Infection Control Practitioner in Bioterrorism Preparedness: Bringing in the Bucks for Bioterrorism V VanDeventer Bloomington Hospital and Health Care System, Bloomington, Indiana
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