Pilot Research Studies
The Northwest Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (NWPERRC) is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research to improve emergency systems preparedness and response, with a specific emphasis on communication with at-risk populations. Each year, the NWPERRC provides funding for one or two pilot projects that conduct research on public health preparedness and emergency response capabilities. Professionals working in state, local, and tribal public health as well as university faculty and post-doctoral students are eligible to apply if they are from the six-state region NWPERRC serves.
Each pilot project addresses one or more of these priorities:
- Enhance the usefulness of training
- Improve timely emergency communications
- Create and maintain sustainable preparedness and response systems
- Generate effectiveness criteria and measures
CODA: Continuity of Operations Data Analysis System for Public Health
During and after disasters, communication among public health clinic managers and staff is critical for maintaining essential services. Researchers conducted a systematic investigation of existing communication channels and reviewed the methods used to assess the availability of key staff during times of emergency. In collaboration with planners at Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC), researchers at the University of Washington’s Center for Public Health Informatics developed a pilot information system that can help public health managers match the skills of available personnel with clinic needs. This system is intended to help restore essential services in the aftermath of a disaster. Several PHSKC departments have expressed interest in using this technology for disaster planning.
Rapid Access to Public Health Information for Limited English Proficiency Populations through Automated Language Technology
Manual translation of public health emergency information for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations is time-consuming and costly. Often it is difficult to translate the full range of materials that provide important emergency information to the LEP population. This pilot studied how translation software can be used to address this problem. Researchers collected documents translated manually into Spanish and Vietnamese and compared them to computer-translated versions of these documents. The findings suggest that machine translation can be an effective initial step. With these preliminary findings, the researchers were subsequently awarded a five-year National Library of Medicine grant to investigate the use of machine translation in public health settings. That research is being conducted in collaboration with the Communications Team at PHSKC.
Assessing and Improving Communication on Influenza Vaccine Safety Reporting for Public Health Systems
Rapid assessment of the safety of widely used vaccines is a public health priority. This pilot investigated the systems used to monitor, report, and respond to potential problems associated with influenza vaccines. Findings revealed barriers to adverse event reporting and suggested potential strategies to improve communication. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that health care professionals (including physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners/nurses) who work with vaccines need additional training on vaccine safety and adverse event reporting. Strengthening health reporting systems based on these study findings can enhance public safety during a pandemic.
Effectiveness of a Media Campaign to Improve Chinese LEP Individuals’ Awareness of Bystander CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important life-saving technique that can be learned by lay people. But since most CPR classes are taught in English, LEP populations are less likely than native English speakers to have these life-saving skills. This pilot study tested the effectiveness of using Chinese newspapers to disseminate emergency response skills within the Chinese LEP community. Working closely with the Chinese Information and Services Center, the researchers developed four public service announcements about bystander CPR and placed them in three local Chinese newspapers. Findings of this study generated information on effective channels for communicating with Chinese LEP populations about bystander CPR.
Effective SMS Emergency Messaging in Public Health
Accurate exchange of vital information between public health agencies and health care providers is critical to effective emergency response. Common communication techniques include broadcast fax, telephone, the Internet, and e-mail. But newer technologies may offer some advantages. This pilot study investigated how short message service (SMS) text messaging on cell phones can be used by public health agencies to communicate with health care providers. Since text messages must be relatively brief, the researchers developed and tested a model for evaluating the essential components and content of such messages. The findings will contribute to an understanding of how a traditionally-composed public health emergency message must be modified for texting.
