South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) and Lowcountry AHEC Presents Disaster Preparedness and Response Training Network (DPRT).

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE FOR THE UNTHINKABLE.

This project, a collaboration of many partners in South Carolina, is addressing the training needs of practicing health care professionals for bioterrorism and public health emergency event recognition and response. Originally funded in 2003, the Disaster Preparedness and Response Training Network was refunded in 2005 through a $3.8 million, three-year grant from the health Resources and Services Administration.

Emergency preparedness and response issues include all forms of terrorism, natural disasters and tragic accidents. The goal of this program is to equip the health care workforce with the knowledge, skills, abilities adn core competencies to recognize indications fo a terrorist event; meet the acute care needs of patients, including pediatric and other vulnerable populations; participate in a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to emergencies; and rapidly and effectively alert the public health system if such an event was to occur.

Activities include providing regional and statewide training programs, serving vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, and addressing high risk target areas including rural communities, ports/coastal areas, adn nuclear/chemical facilities. Also included is the establihsment of a Disaster Preparedness and Response Training Network Resource Center.

Dr. David Garr, the SC AHEC Executive Director serves as the Principal Investigator (PI). Dr. Ralph Shealy, an emergency medicine physician and Beth Kennedy, the SC AHEC Associate Director for Education, serve as co-directors for this program. In the Lowcountry AHEC area, Diane Kennedy, Center Director, directs the DPRT grant programs. Barbara Burden, MA is the DPRT Continuing Education Coordinator.

PROGRAM AIMS:

• Improve the knowledge, skills, and ability of the South Carolina healthcare workforce to recognize, respond to, and report bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
• Create a core multidisciplinary group of health professionals trained to recognize, respond to, and report disasters in a coordinated manner in communities across South Carolina.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

• This project, a collaboration of many partners in South Carolina, addresses the training needs of practicing health care professionals for bioterrorism and public health emergency event recognition and response. The targeted groups are primary care physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, social/mental health professionals, and emergency medical workers. Continuing education credits are offered through Lowcountry AHEC.

OFFERINGS:

• Bioterrorism Awareness: four-hour CE program.
• "Bioterrorism 101": 15 training modules (bacteria, viruses, chemicals, radiation, toxins, explosions, forensics, pharmacological, reporting, decontamination, emergency management, agricultural bioterrorism, BT overview, protective equipment, psychological response.
• BT 101 for School Nurses
• Avian Flu
• Pandemic Flu
• Outbreak Parts 1-4
• HICS Orientation
• Radiation as a Terrorists Weapon
• "Peace"
  

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For additional information about programs, please click onto CE Calendar or contact...

Barbara Burden
Lowcountry AHEC
843.782.5052
burdenb@lcahec.com

SC AHEC Program Office
843.792.4431
www.scahec.net
www.musc.edu/bioterrorism