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Ohio News: Health Care Professionals Needed for Disaster Response - Ohio Medical Reserve Corps
Published in the November 2007 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter
We do not know when the next disaster will occur, but when it does, Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC) volunteers are ready to respond. The landscape of emergency management has changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina. In these large-scale emergencies, first responders and the health care system quickly became overwhelmed. As a result, it was realized that the only way to answer the needs of the community is to have an organized group of health care professional volunteers that can be quickly mobilized.
OMRC provides the structure for organized health care volunteers in the Buckeye State. Dr Forrest Smith, state epidemiologist and OMRC co-coordinator says “Ohio Medical Reserve Corps will help to ensure that if a medical crisis hits, our communities will be ready to respond and protect our citizens.” Since OMRC’s inception in 2003, the program has rapidly grown with more than 7,000 volunteers throughout the state. Volunteers are coordinated through local health jurisdictions or county emergency management agencies. OMRC operates in most of the state’s counties including all major metropolitan areas. OMRC volunteers are willing to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. Pharmacists are specifically needed to assist in mass prophylaxis and vaccination programs should the need arise. Several communities have already developed point-of-dispensing (POD) programs with critical need for pharmacist input. Timothy Lanese is a member of several Cleveland-area teams and has been involved in the planning and activation of several POD drills. He feels this “has been a very valuable and rewarding experience. The other members of the team have varying degrees of medical experience and really value my contribution. It is amazing how many questions come up during these events that only a pharmacist can answer.”
Liability protection is provided (Ohio Revised Code 121.404) for OMRC volunteers during local, state, or federally declared emergencies, disasters, drills, and trainings. The statute also protects a registered volunteer’s personal information on the OMRC database from public disclosure.
Pharmacists are often reluctant to become involved due to a fear of liability for the dispensing process. The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy explains that, as in all cases, it is the pharmacist’s duty to act in the best interests of patients being served. In a declared emergency, the pharmacist’s knowledge and expertise can be critical to the proper functioning of the disaster team. Pharmacists who focus on doing what is best for the patient at the time should not have any concerns about the Board looking over their shoulders.
OMRC provides the opportunity to help your community when it is needed the most. OMRC offers free trainings, hands-on drills and exercises, professional continuing education units, and networking with fellow health care professionals. The time commitment is minimal, but the reward is great. You can make a difference. Join OMRC.
This article was primarily written by Timothy R. Lanese, RPh, MBA, FASHP, FACHE.
