Mass Antibiotic Dispensing: Using Public Information to Enhance POD Flow A Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and Public Health Training Network Satellite Broadcast and Webcast Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Originally aired December 1, 2005 Course Overview This program highlights the importance of public information and patient education as it relates to throughput at the Points of Dispensing (PODs). The right messages, sent at the right time, to the right audiences will both prepare and mobilize the public to come to the PODs. A well informed public is most likely to react to the incident in a more orderly manner. Public Information and Communication (PIC) programs can make a long line more bearable, should give volunteers the answers to possible questions, and will speak to the needs of the community. Viewers will examine messages, methods, and materials important to a PIC program including media relations, patient education, and signage. Goal To inform viewers about the importance of public information and education as it relates to throughput at Points of Dispensing (PODs). Target Audience This broadcast is designed for the state and local Strategic National Stockpile planners as well as state and local Public Information Officers. Objectives At the completion of this broadcast, participants will be able to: * Name one way in which a good pre-POD public information program can facilitate POD flow * Identify two of the most important messages for the public prior to arriving at the POD * Develop patient education materials for use in the POD * Develop patient education methodologies that will enhance POD flow * Describe signage and how it can be used to direct and enhance patient flow through the POD * Identify two possible messages for volunteers to communicate to people in the POD * Describe one method of promoting medication compliance * Promote health improvement, wellness, and disease prevention in cooperation with patients, communities, at-risk populations, and other members of an inter-professional team of health care providers by assuring the availability of effective, quality health and disease prevention services. Presenters William F. Raub, PhD, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Ruth Thornburg, MA, MS, Public Information & Communications Specialist, Division of Strategic National Stockpile, CDC Laura Blaske, Communication Systems Manager, Washington State Department of Health Dori Reissman, MD, MPH, Behavioral Scientist, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC Disclosures CDC, our planners, and our content experts wish to disclose that they have no financial interests or other relationships with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters. The use of trade names or commercial sources is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the United States Department of Health and Human Services or the Public Health Service. This activity did not receive commercial support of any kind. Presentations will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or the product under investigational use. Views expressed by guest participants are not necessarily the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Legal views offered in this program are the opinions of the speakers and do not constitute legal advice from the CDC or HHS.