When Normal Isn't Normal: RSV Outbreak in Rural Alaska

Description

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks happen every year in Alaska. It’s normal. But what happens when an RSV outbreak overwhelms the resources of one rural community hospital and another city’s pediatric intensive care unit (ICU)? In March 2007, Alaska experienced an RSV outbreak that filled Anchorage pediatric ICU beds. What are the implications for a pandemic influenza outbreak? Join us for this online, interactive forum to find out what Alaska is doing differently and how you can learn from this state’s new “normal.”

Registration Information

Registration for live events is coordinated by individuals representing our partner organizations in the Northwest. See our registration information to find your nearest contact.

Presenters

Sally Abbott, ANP, MSN, is the hospital coordinator in the Public Health Preparedness Program in Anchorage. She was the operations section chief during the RSV outbreak in spring of 2007 as well as the Alaska Shield/Northern Edge mass casualty exercise in June of 2007. Prior to moving to Alaska, Ms. Abbot managed the employee health clinic at the University of Washington, where she first became involved in emergency preparedness by coordinating medical first responders.

Cathy Wolfe, RN, CHC, is the Director of Nursing at Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital in Barrow, Alaska. Her work experience includes military service and years as a nurse in the Indian Health Service. She grew up in a military family living in Scotland, England, Italy and Turkey.

Sandra Woods, RN, MS, has been with the Public Health Preparedness Program, Public Health Nursing in Alaska since November 2001. She is responsible for the preparedness training program for the Public Health Nurses of the State of Alaska and has traveled to many communities conducting community assistance workshops. She has participated in the Division of Public Health Preparedness Training Workgroup and the Steering Committee for the NWCPHP.

Learner Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Describe the geographic challenges of medical evacuation in Alaska

• Explain the capabilities of a rural community hospital
• Describe urban pediatric ICU capabilities
• Summarize how Alaska is changing its approach to pediatric ICU capability in an emergency

Target Audience

This session would be appropriate for the following audiences:

• Local and state public health practitioners
• Public health nurses
• Local and state emergency management staff

Slides and Related Resources

Presentation slides

Session Archive

Play the recorded presentation [ 12 MB ]

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