Background: Local health departments (LHDs) operate in a complex and dynamic public health landscape, with changing demands on their emergency response capacities. Informatics capacities might play an instrumental role in aiding LHDs emergency preparedness. This study aimed to explore the extent to which LHDs' informatics capacities are associated with their activity level in emergency preparedness and to identify which health informatics capacities are associated with improved emergency preparedness. Methods: We used the 2013 National Profile of LHDs study to perform Poisson regression of emergency preparedness activities. Results: Only 38.3% of LHDs participated in full-scale exercises or drills for an emergency in the 12 months period prior to the survey, but a much larger proportion provided emergency preparedness training to staff (84.3%), and/or participated in tabletop exercises (76.4%). Our multivariable analysis showed that after adjusting for several resource-related LHD characteristics, LHDs with more of the 6 information systems still tend to have slightly more preparedness activities. In addition, having a designated emergency preparedness coordinator, and having one or more emergency preparedness staff were among the most significant factors associated with LHDs performing more emergency preparedness activities. Conclusion: LHDs might want to utilize better health information systems and information technology tools to improve their activity level in emergency preparedness, through improved information dissemination, and evidence collection.

This paper describes a standard procedure for using constant-current electrolytic reduction (“coulometric reduction”) to determine the relative buildup of corrosion and tarnish films on control coupons from environmental tests, and discusses the types of results and correlations that may be expected. Examples of the applications of this proposed ASTM standard method will be presented for two types of environmental exposure: the mixed flowing gas test and the humid sulfur vapor (“flowers-of-sulfur”) test.

I nfectious disease outbreaks demand rapid, thorough, and innovative response teams working collaboratively and using multiple channels of communication to decrease the impact and duration of the outbreak. 1 In ensuing paragraphs we use the 2014 Ebola outbreak response as a case study to demonstrate interprofessional collaborative practice in action and to highlight opportunities for the future integration of evidence-based interprofessional communication practices in applied global public health emergency response.The transmission of clear, accurate, and credible information is paramount in emergency response and disaster management. Communication practices that discourage jargon and discipline-specific terminology and that exploit multiple communication channels result in more effective information sharing. When used in conjunction with other evidence-based strategies such as transparency and trust building, the resulting outcome is enhanced communication among response team members and the affected communities.The Ebola response in West Africa provided some examples of best emergency response communication practices that are worth highlighting. In July 2014, Liberia in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reconfigured their incidence management system (IMS) to effectively delineate a chain of command and organizational structure to enhance communication and coordination among local, national, and international stakeholders in the operational response to the epidemic. 2 In Nigeria, health care providers and other Ebola response team members used CliniPAK, a mobile tool, to discuss case records and track the spread of the disease. 3 Evidence from the field also highlighted the potential impact of social media platforms on the Ebola response. The Twitter campaign @EbolaAlert, for example, was instrumental in information dissemination during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. 4 The effectiveness of communication tools, like CliniPAK and other mobile health (mHealth) communication technology, depends on their capacity to transmit salient information between multiple actors in a timely manner. However, the feasibility of using such technologies in public health disaster response depends on whether the necessary infrastructures are in place to facilitate their use. In developing parts of the world, where the infrastructural makeup of emergency response systems and the health care systems are less sophisticated, the use of low-tech communication channels such as face-to-face meetings and workshops, the use of trusted messengers, leaflets, brochures, or hotlines have been shown to be efficacious.Effective communication between interprofessional teams is enhanced when working relationships are cordial and are characterized by respect and trust. Interprofessional emergency response teams function at optimal levels when the team embraces and capitalizes on each member's experience and knowledge. 5 By embracing various cultural beliefs and attempting to understand the language barriers and cultural ...