Packaging and Shipping Capabilities of New York State Hospital Laboratories: A 3-year Drill Assessment

Paula A Pennell; Lynn E Brennan; Robert L Burhans; Stephanie E Ostrowski

doi:10.29074/ascls.24.1.14

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Paula A Pennell⇑
1. New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Albany, NY
Lynn E Brennan
1. Wadsworth Center Laboratory Response Network, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY
Robert L Burhans
1. New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Emergency Preparedness, Troy, NY
Stephanie E Ostrowski
1. Wadsworth Center Laboratory Response Network, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY

Address for correspondence: Paula A. Pennell, MPH, NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower – Room 672, Albany, NY 12237-0672, 518-486-2151, 518-486-6895 (fax), pap04{at}health.state.ny.us

Abstract

In a previous publication, we discussed the results of the 2006-2007 New York State (NYS) Hospital Laboratory Drill Series which emphasized the need for ongoing testing and evaluation of laboratory preparedness capabilities, particularly those required to support hospital functions during a public health emergency. In this paper, we will discuss how a follow-up drill series in 2007-2008 was implemented in an effort to re-assess the ability of NYS acute care hospital facilities to recognize and respond to a suspected bioterrorism, chemical terrorism or pandemic flu emergency specimen submission event. We will explain how the results of the follow-up drill series, when compared to those of the original exercise, warranted a statewide hospital laboratory preparedness drill held in 2009, focused solely on addressing the overarching deficiency of chemical terrorism (CT) specimen submission capabilities. Although drill results conclude that NYS acute care hospital facilities are much better prepared than 3 years ago to support hospital functions during a CT public health emergency event, they also highlight the continued need to improve competency.

ABBREVIATIONS: AAR = after action report; BT = bioterrorism; CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; COC = chain-of-custody; CT = chemical terrorism; DOH = Department of Health; HEPP = Health Emergency Preparedness Program; HPN = Heath Provider Network; HSEEP = Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program; IATA = International Air Transport Authority; LRN = Laboratory Response Network; NYC = New York City; NYS = New York State; P&S = packaging and shipping; Pan Flu = pandemic influenza; RRC = Regional Resource Center; US DOT = United States Department of Transportation; WC = Wadsworth Center