Course Objective:

The purpose of this course is to:

• Familiarize the learner with the ways in which point of dispensing sites can be effectively designed, managed and evaluated during major disasters, such as pandemics.

Key Messages:

• Point of Dispensing designers and managers need to consider using computer modeling tools to better facilitate POD throughput 
• Point of Dispensing designers and managers need to plan for realistic scenarios that include natural variability and worst case scenarios
• Point of Dispensing designers and managers need to consider external load balancing: Who is being directed to which POD?

Capabilities:

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities:

• Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation
• Emergency Public Information and Warning
• Information Sharing 
• Community Preparedness

Competencies:

Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (CDC):

• 1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external emergency response partners.
• 2.3 Report information potentially relevant to the identification and control of an emergency through the chain of command.
• 3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans
• 3.3 Participate in improving the organization's capacities (including, but not limited to program, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training).

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe 5 ways in which point of dispensing sites can be most effectively designed, managed and evaluated
• Describe how existing, free computer models can facilitate better setup, management, and evaluation of point of dispensing sites
• Describe the flow of bio-event activation and response
• Identify common mistakes when designing and managing point of dispensing sites
• Describe historic examples within the research literature on POD setup, management, and evaluation