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• National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Department of Health and Human Services Briefing Overview

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  This presentation outlines the Department of Health and Human Services and National Disaster Medical System roles in Federal Response Plan. Included are local needs, natural disasters, technological disasters, and terrorism. Charts and graphs help to show the flow of events from the time a disaster occurs.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• HHS Fact Sheet: HHS Initiative Prepares for Possible Bioterrorism Threat

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  While the exact risks are unknown, the use of biological weapons by terrorists potentially could result in life-threatening illness on a large scale. Even a lone terrorist could cause a major disease outbreak in the population - and, in the case of communicable disease, the outbreak could spread in successive waves of infection. Unlike explosions or chemical releases, a bioterrorist attack could be surreptitious and thus difficult and time-consuming to detect. Symptoms might not occur among victims for days or weeks, and those initially presenting themselves to physicians and clinics might be geographically dispersed. A strong public health network would be needed to piece together early reports and quickly determine what had happened. Once detected, the situation could overwhelm local health systems that are faced not only with the tasks of caring for mass casualties but also with the demands of even larger numbers of people requiring preventive care. In fiscal year 2001, HHS will invest $297 million in anti-bioterrorism efforts. HHS efforts are focused on five areas: improving the nation's public health surveillance network, to quickly detect and identify the biological agent that has been released; strengthening the capacities for medical response, especially at the local level; expanding the stockpile of pharmaceuticals for use if needed; expanding research on the disease agents that might be released, rapid methods for identifying biological agents, and improved treatments and vaccines; and preventing bioterrorism by regulation of the shipment of hazardous biological agents or toxins.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001-08-16
• Testimony of Department of Health and Social Services Secretary, Tommy G. Thompson

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  Bioterrorism presents unique challenges since it differs dramatically from other forms of terrorism and national emergencies. While explosions or chemical attacks cause immediate and visible casualties, an intentional release of a biological weapon would unfold over the course of days or weeks, culminating potentially in a major epidemic. Until sufficient numbers of people arrive in emergency rooms, doctors' offices and health clinics with similar illnesses, there may be no sign that a bioterrorist attack has taken place. Individuals with symptoms may be at considerable distance from the site of initial exposure, both in terms of onset of disease and geographic location. Moreover, the bioweapons most likely to be used are pathogens not routinely seen by health care providers. Medical providers generally are not familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders and may even fail initially to recognize symptoms. These scenarios underscore the importance of preparing for the possibility of bioterrorism. Our efforts include preparing the medical and public health response to mass casualty events, working to improve our infectious disease surveillance capabilities, managing and securing the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile and investing in necessary research and development to improve our capability to respond to an emergency. Because of the potential for widespread damage a bioterrorist attack could bring, I will focus on what I consider HHS's main priorities as the coordinator of medical assistance and the surveillance efforts CDC would undertake to identify the pathogen used.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001
• Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3 ) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include arsenic oxide, arsenious acid, arsenious oxide, arsenious trioxide, arsenous acid anhydride, crude arsenic, arsenolite, and white arsenic.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Blister Agents: Lewisite (L) (C2H2AsCl3) and Mustard-Lewisite Mixture (HL) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms for Lewisite include L, arsine (2-chlorovinyl) dichloro-, arsenous dichloride (2-chloroethenyl)-, chlorovinylarsine dichloride, 2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine, beta-chlorovinyldichloroarsine, dichloro-(2-chlorovinyl)arsine, EA1034. Synonyms for Mustard-Lewisite include HL and Sulfur Mustard/Lewisite.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Ammonia (NH3) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include ammonia gas, anhydrous ammonia, and liquid ammonia. Aqueous solutions are referred to as aqueous ammonia, ammonia solution, and ammonium hydroxide.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Malathion (C10H19O6PS2) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include S-[1,2-Di(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]O,O-dimethyl-phosphorothioate, diethyl (dimethoxyphosphinothioylthio) succinate, and a variety of trade names such as Cekumal, Cythion, Fosfothion, Fyfafon, Malixol, Maltox, Sadophos, and Zithiol.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Phosgene Oxime (CHCl2NO) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include dichloroformoxime; CX.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Unidentified Chemical - Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description for protocols related to unknown chemical agents, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Blister Agents: Sulfur Mustard Agent H or HD (C4H8Cl2S) and Sulfur Mustard Agent HT Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. H and HD: Bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide; bis(beta-chloroethyl) sulfide; di-2-chloroethyl sulfide; 1-chloro-2(beta-chloroethylthio)ethane; 2,2'-dichloroethyl sulfide; sulfur mustard; Iprit; Kampstoff "Lost"; mustard gas; senfgas, S-yperite; yellow cross liquid; yperite HT: Mixture of bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide and bis[2-(2-chloroethylthio)-ethyl]ether

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Blister Agents: Nitrogen Mustard (HN-1) (C6H13Cl2N), Nitrogen Mustard (HN-2) (C5H11Cl2N), and Nitrogen Mustard (HN-3) (C6H12Cl3N) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. HN-1: Bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylamine; 2-chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethylethanamine; 2,2'-dichlorotriethylamine; ethylbis(2-chloroethyl)amine; ethyl-S HN-2: MBA; mechlorethamine; mustine; 2,2'-dichloro-N-methyldiethylamine; dichloren; caryolysin; mechlorethanamine; chlormethine; bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine HN-3: Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine; 2-chloro-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)ethanamine; 2,2',2"-trichlorotriethylamine

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Ethylene Oxide ([CH2]2O) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include dimethylene oxide, 1,2-epoxyethane, EtO, EO, ethene oxide, and oxirane.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents, Volume I (Revised): Emergency Medical Services: A Planning Guide for the Management of Contaminated Patients

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  This is the first of a three volume set on Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. It is divided into three sections - 1. Systems Approach to Planning, 2. Emergency Medical Services Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents, and 3. Response and Patient Management. The presence of hazardous materials or toxic chemicals at an incident location or other emergency situation adds a new dimension of risk to those handling and treating casualties. The fundamental difference between a hazardous materials incident and other emergencies is the potential for acute risk from contamination to both patient and responder. This volume, written for emergency response personnel, is designed to familiarize readers with the terminology, concepts, and key operational considerations that affect the proper management of incidents of chemical contamination. It is designed not only to present uniform guidance for the emergency care of chemically contaminated patients, but also to provide basic information necessary to comprehensive planning and implementation of EMS strategies. It is intended to illustrate the characteristics of hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents that compel emergency response personnel to modify their preparations and response procedures. Not all hospitals and community emergency response systems are prepared to respond to a hazardous chemical incident to the same degree. This document may be used to assess the capabilities of EMS with respect to potential community hazards and to develop response plans using national and community-specific resources. Employee safety and training are also key factors in effective management of medical emergencies. This document is intended to provide source material for developing local training and safety protocols.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents, Volume II (Revised): Hospital Emergency Departments: A Planning Guide for the Management of Contaminated Patients

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  This is the second of a three volume set on Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. This document is divided into three sections - 1. Systems Approach to Planning, 2. Emergency Department Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents, and 3. Patient Management. Current training curricula for emergency room physicians and nurses and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) often do not adequately prepare these professionals to manage the contaminated individual or to decontaminate patients exposed to toxic substances. Accurate, specific, and concise guidance is needed to describe appropriate procedures to be followed by emergency medical personnel to safely care for a patient, as well as to protect equipment, hospital personnel, patients, and others from risk of secondary exposure. This volume, written for emergency department personnel, is designed to familiarize readers with the concepts, terminology, and key operational considerations that affect the management of incidents of chemical contamination. It presents uniform guidance for the emergency care of chemically contaminated patients; provides basic information critical to advance planning and implementation of emergency medical strategies; illustrates the characteristics of hazardous materials incidents that compel modifications to traditional emergency response procedures; and presents effective preparatory response actions.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents, Volume III (revised): Medical Management Guidlelines for Acute Chemical Exposures

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  This is the third of a three volume set on Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. This document covers the protocols for medical professionals on a number of chemical agents: Acrolein, Acrylonitrile, Ammonia, Aniline, Arsenic Trioxide, Arsine, Benzene, Blister Agent (L, HL), Blister Agent (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3), Blister Agent (H, HD, HT), Butadiene, Carbon Disulfide, Calcium Hypochlorite/Sodium, Hypochlorite, Chlordane, Chlorine, Crotonaldehyde, Diborane, Ethylene Dibromide, Elemental Mercury, Ethylene Glycol, Ethylene Oxide, Formaldehyde, Gasoline, Hydrogen Chloride, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen Fluoride, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Malathion, Methyl Bromide, Methylene Chloride, Methyl Isocyanate, Methyl Mercaptan, Nerve Agents (GA, GB, GD, VX), Nitrogen Oxides, Parathion, Phenol, Phosgene, Phosphine, Phosgene Oxime, Selenium Hexafluoride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Toluene Diisocyanate, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Unidentified Chemical, Vinyl Chloride, and Xylene

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Acrolein (C3H4O) Chemical Protocol

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  Very comprehensive description of the chemical agent, with coverage on many important aspects, including information on routes of exposure, sources and uses, exposure limits, physical characteristics, patient management, decontamination and treatment, incident reporting. Synonyms include 2-propenal, 2-propen-1-one, prop-2-en-1-al, acraldehyde, acrylaldehyde, acrylic aldehyde, allyl aldehyde, ethylene aldehyde, aqualine.

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2000
• Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters

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  "This Field Manual is intended for mental health workers and other human service providers who assist survivors following a disaster. This pocket reference provides the basics of disaster mental health, with numerous specific and practical suggestions for workers. Essential information about disaster survivors' reactions and needs is included. 'Helping' skills are described with guidance for when to refer for professional assistance. Strategies for worker stress prevention and management are presented in the last section."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  DeWolfe, Deborah J.

  2000
• HHS Sends Emergency Medical Supplies to New York City in First-ever Use of National Pharmaceutical Stockpile [September 11, 2001]

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  "HHS [Health and Human Services] Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today authorized the first emergency use of the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, drawing on the 2-year-old rapid response program to provide special aid to New York City. The decision will result in delivery of substantial supplies to support medical personnel caring for victims of the airplane attack on the World Trade Center today."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001-09-11
• HHS Launches Initial Medical Relief Response to New York, Pentagon Emergencies [September 11, 2001]

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  "HHS [Health and Human Services] Secretary Tommy G. Thompson this morning activated the National Disaster Medical System, putting medical teams nationwide at the ready to be sent to assist local areas in responding to medical emergencies. This is the first time the federally-coordinated response system has been activated on a full nationwide basis. The Secretary's action means 80 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) located throughout the country are prepared to be deployed, with 7,000 private sector medical and support personnel ready to be dispatched. HHS is working with other federal agencies and local health officials to assess specific needs in New York City and the Washington, D.C., area in order to direct units where their particular expertise and resources are needed."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001-09-11
• HHS Dispatches Initial Emergency Personnel and Supplies [September 11, 2001]

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  "HHS [Health and Human Services] Secretary Tommy G. Thompson this afternoon dispatched the first emergency medical and mortuary teams to the New York City and Washington, D.C., areas to assist emergency personnel and local health providers in caring for victims of the airplane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In addition, Secretary Thompson provided for an emergency shipment of medical supplies to New York City. The initial units included more than 300 medical and mortuary personnel. Additional disaster units will be provided to the areas as specific needs are identified, Secretary Thompson said. Earlier in the day, Secretary Thompson made all federal disaster medical units nationwide ready to be dispatched where needed. 1) Four Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) are being sent to Stewart National Guard Base, Newburg, NY., with one DMAT each coming from New Jersey (Lyons, N.J.), and New York (White Plains), and two from Massachusetts (Boston and Worcester). 2) Three DMATs are being dispatched to the Anacostia Receiving Center in Washington, D.C., with one each coming from the Washington , D.C., area (Rockville, Md.), North Carolina (Winston-Salem), and Georgia (Atlanta)."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001-09-11
• HHS Initiates Immediate and Long-Term Steps to Address Emotional and Mental Health Consequences of Terrorist Air Attacks [September 13, 2001]

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  "HHS [United States Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced steps the department is taking to respond to the immediate and long-term emotional and psychological impact of the loss of life and damage caused by terrorists in New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. The Secretary, in New York today to tour health and emergency facilities, acted in response to concerns about mental health consequences expressed by local and state officials. HHS personnel have already begun to help coordinate crisis counseling programs for victims, their families, and the thousands of professional and volunteer rescue workers. Today's actions include immediate release of $1 million in funding for New York to support mental health services and strategic planning for comprehensive and long-term support."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2001-09-13
• Role of First Responders in Child Maltreatment Cases: Disaster and Nondisaster Situations

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  "This manual, The Role of First Responders in Child Maltreatment Cases: Disaster and Nondisaster Situations, is for those professionals who have the primary responsibility for the initial on-scene response to situations in which child abuse or neglect may have occurred, even when the initial call may be for another situation, such as domestic violence or a drug offense. In most jurisdictions, emergency medical technicians, child protective services caseworkers, and law enforcement officers generally are considered the first responders for child maltreatment cases. This manual is designed to be a practical guide to help those in the field and includes step-by-step guidelines for investigating possible child maltreatment. The manual also provides information for first responders when responding to cases of possible child maltreatment in disaster situations, including how first responders and their agencies can prepare for disaster situations."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  Cage, Richard; Salus, Marsha K.

  2010
• Human Trafficking Fact Sheet

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  "Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today, and it is the fastest growing. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) defines 'Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons' as: 1) Sex Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years; or 2) Labor Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2004
• Operational Risk Communication and Community Engagement Plan: Responding to Local Mosquito-Borne Transmission of Zika Virus

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  "This plan template is provided as part of the Zika Community Action Response Toolkit (Z-CART) for state, local, and tribal, public health staff to adapt to their needs in the context of local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus infections. It contains updated Zika-specific content and is intended as a resource for supporting Zika response plans."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2016-07
• Report of the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel

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  "On July 2, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13546 'Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins,' which created and tasked the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel (FESAP) to address policy issues relevant to the security of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT). [...] In general, the FESAP concludes that the U.S. Government has developed a robust set of rules, regulations, and practices to inform safe, secure and responsible work and research with infectious agents and toxins that produce illness, death, and economic impact to the United States and cause global concerns. However, there are several improvements that may further mitigate the inherent risks in such work. A summary of the FESAP's recommended actions to address the FESAP's September 2014 charge follows."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2014-12
• Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel: Summary of Findings and Recommendations of the Federal Security Advisory Panel on the Biennial Review of the Select Agents and Toxins List

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  "The mission of the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel (FESAP) is to make technical and substantive recommendations concerning the appropriate safeguards and security standards for persons possessing, using, or transferring biological select agents and toxins (BSAT). The recommendations shall be commensurate with the risk that such agents or toxins pose to public health and safety, to animal and plant health, and to animal and plant products, including the risk of their use in domestic or international terrorism. On July 2, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13546 'Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins,' which created the FESAP and tasked it with addressing policy issues relevant to the security of BSAT. On January 19, 2016, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) (81 FR 2805) and Agriculture (USDA) (81 FR 2762) published Federal Register Notices of proposed rulemaking regarding the select agents and toxins regulations. The Notices announced that HHS and USDA are considering amending the BSAT list by removing several biological agents. […] The FESAP was charged to provide policy and technical input for the biennial review of the BSAT list. The Biological Select Agents and Toxins Interagency Policy Committee (BSAT IPC) provided technical criteria and policy factors to inform the FESAP's deliberations."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2016-07
• Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services

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  "This guide provides human services leaders at the local, State, Tribal, and Territorial levels with information and resources on recent advances in our understanding of trauma, toxic stress, and executive functioning. It especially highlights what these advances mean for program design and service delivery. The guide helps professionals learn about trauma-informed care and helps those currently engaged in trauma-informed work to improve their practice. These resources provide an overview of key concepts related to trauma and a guide to resources from a range of HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] federal agencies and respected sources outside government. These materials are both a 'front door' to the topic of trauma and a 'road map' to relevant resources."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services
• Medicaid Benefits Available for the Prevention, Detection and Response to the Zika Virus

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  "The purpose of this CMCS [Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services] Informational Bulletin is to inform Medicaid agencies and interested stakeholders about how Medicaid services and authorities can help states and territories prevent, detect, and respond to the Zika virus, including efforts to prevent the transmission and address health risks to beneficiaries from the Zika virus. We encourage states to use the flexibilities outlined below."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2016-06-01
• Disaster Behavioral Health: Resources at Your Fingertips

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  "When disasters strike, the ripple effects can be significant. Survivors may be injured or displaced, or may have loved ones in similar situations. The emotional, physical, and financial tolls can be jarring, and no one in the community is immune. Disaster behavioral health (DBH) includes the provision of mental health, substance abuse, and stress management services to disaster survivors and responders. Incorporating DBH into all phases of emergency management can ensure resident and responder preparedness, an effective, compassionate response effort, and a more resilient community moving forward. This document provides information on and links to select DBH programs and resources. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but a selection of programs and resources that can be of immediate use to emergency healthcare providers, emergency management stakeholders, and other professionals and survivors affected by naturally-occurring or human-caused incidents."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2017-03-24
• Continuing Progress on the Opioid Epidemic: The Role of the Affordable Care Act

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  "The United States is experiencing an unprecedented epidemic of opioid use disorder and overdose. In 2015, more than 33,000 Americans died of an overdose involving a prescription or illicit opioid, and more than 2 million individuals had an opioid use disorder. In partnership with state and local governments, healthcare professionals, and other key stakeholders, HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] launched its Opioid Initiative in March 2015 and has taken significant steps to: 1) improve opioid prescribing practices; 2) increase the use of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses; and 3) expand access to and the provision of medication-assisted treatment with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone - in combination with appropriate psychosocial services. The Department has also continued to prioritize reducing stigma and advancing prevention, treatment, and parity for people needing care for mental health and substance use disorders."

  United States. Department of Health and Human Services

  2017-01-11