After Action Report. Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Veterinary Public Health

Transcription

1 After Action Report Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Veterinary Public Health Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 1

2 After Action Report Organizational Name Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Veterinary Public Health (HCPHES Veterinary Public Health) Project Name: Veterinary Technician Zoonotic Disease Conference Project Completion Date: March 28, 2009 Project Purpose: Increase veterinary clinic staffs (within unincorporated Harris County) awareness of the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section capabilities and services through the provision of an annual zoonotic disease conference for veterinary technicians. Short Term Goal Increase veterinary technicians (within unincorporated Harris County) awareness of the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section capabilities and services. Short Term Impact Veterinary technician conference was attended by 66 registered veterinary technicians, 3 certified veterinary assistants, and 22 veterinary assistants; and Based upon pre and post conference telephone surveys, the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section awareness was increased by 51 percent amongst the veterinary clinics within unincorporated Harris County. Long Term Goal The HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section becomes the focal point for all zoonotic concerns, issues, and information emanating from and to veterinary health clinics within unincorporated Harris County. Long Term Impact Conference attendees received zoonotic information through the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section conduit; Conference attendees have met the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section personnel; Conference attendees were encouraged to use the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section for surveillance and data gathering of local zoonotic disease outbreaks and trends; and Conference attendees were exposed to industry zoonotic experts and the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health personnel. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 2

3 Project Summary Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Veterinary Public Health (HCPHES VPH), received the sum of $4,000 from Merial Inc. to fund 44 percent of the net costs of one zoonotic conference event for veterinary technicians and the printing of the required event materials. Materials Development The Merial grant funded development of professional conference materials and handouts for conference attendees. Each attendee was supplied with conference spiral bound note book of conference reference materials, a printed pen, and bottled water in a material printed tote bag. Venue The Merial grant also funded the rental of venue and food services. The venue proved to a professional and well laid out facility and food servings plentiful. Each attendee was offered a cooked breakfast buffet, a spaghetti luncheon, and break refreshments and snacks. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 3

4 Conference Day: Location: The all day conference was scheduled and held at the Lone College in Tomball, Texas. This site was chosen as: veterinary technicians in Harris County are familiar with its location; site is well equipped for professional conferences; and site charged a modest fee of $90.00 for use of their conference facility. Merial representatives were also available throughout the day to answer veterinary technician questions. Topics: Conference educational topics primarily focused on zoonotic disease awareness. Harris County Bite Case Statistics The day commenced with Dr. Cherie Whittenberg of HCPHES Veterinary Public Health, providing an overview of Harris County bite case statistics. Dr. Whittenberg gave insight into the number of cases, the victim type, the circumstances of the bite, the type of animal and breed that was involved in bite cases, and the locations. Dog and Cat Behavior Signals Dr. Lore Haug of the South Texas Veterinary Behavior Sceinces, provided an indepth look into dog and cat behavior signals. Her presentation allowed veterinary technicians to better understand the cues that pets demonstrate to signify an emotional response. She also provided insight into natural human behaviors that cause stress and fear in pets. Zoonotic Disease Importance Dr. Clara Scott provided insight from a veterinary clinic s perspective into the importance of understanding the symptoms and spread of zoonotic diseases in Harris County. Veterinary technicians were given helpful methodologies to identify zoonotic diseases and protect the human and pet population from being infected and contracting the disease. Rabies Quarantine and Post Exposure Dr. Paul Grunenwald od the Texas Department of State Health Services/Zoonosis Control Health Service Region 6/5 South, paced the audience through a look at rabies quarantine procedures, post exposure procedures and insight into how Harris County compares to other regions with the State of Texas. Rocky Mounted Spotted Fever Ms. Abby Youens, a graduate student at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health reviewed the nature of the rocky mounted spotted fever in pets and humans and the results of her recent thesis. Herpes and Mr. Nilson Dr. Terry Blasdel, Director of Animal Care Operations at the University of Houston provided an indepth look into the impact of herpes on old world and new world primates and their relationship with humans. Internal Parasites, Fleas and Hurricane Ike Dr. Wade Burton of Merial Inc. gave a superb review of pet internal parasites, flea, ticks, and the risk they bring to humans. Dr. Burton also guided the Veterinary Technicians as how to impart the urgency of protecting pets and their families from zoonotic diseases without placing fear or panic. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 4

5 What Does HCPHES Veterinary Public Health do? Brian Goza, Animal Control Officer with HCPHES Veterinary Public Health gave insight into the services and capabilities of Veterinary Public Health and how to access these services. Disease Reporting Dr. Kristina Lem, Zoonosis Veterinarian and head of the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis Section provided a step by step guide on how to report zoonotic diseases back to County or State organizations. The conference was then closed and conference continuing education credit certificates were distributed. Conference Survey: Conference attendees were asked to complete a conference survey. Several veterinary technicians indicated that there is a void of local continuing education classes within Harris County and they would welcome future veterinary technician conferences. The feedback provided was as follows: 87 percent of conference attendees believed continuing education credit was an important feature of the conference; 87 percent of conference attendees were satisfied with the pre registration process; 100 of registrants agreed that the conference materials were more than adequate and informative; 100 percent of conference attendees were satisfied with the professionalism and abilities of the speakers; 100 percent of all conference attendees enjoyed the conference setting and facilities; 85 percent of conference attendees agreed with the length of conference presentations and flow; 100 percent of conference attendees agreed that information provided was informative and accurate; 100 percent of conference attendees agreed that the conference was well organized; 97 percent of conference attendees agreed that the conference staff were helpful and courteous; and 99 percent of conference attendees indicated that they would recommend future conferences to other veterinary technicians. The attendees also requested educational topics for future veterinary technician conferences. Not all of the requested topics requested were zoonotic disease based, but it does provide insight into the education Harris County Veterinary Technicians are looking for. In particular, veterinary technicians requested additional information on large animal and equine related zoonotic diseases, restraint techniques, rabies prevention, animal behaviors, and handling bio-contaminated materials. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 5

6 Requested future conference topics: Handling research or laboratory animals; handling bio-contaminents and laboratory specimens; Equine zoonotic diseases; Canine/Feline Diseases most commonly seen in Harris County, Additional animal behavior information and case studies with new research results, Neurological diseases; Leptospirosis; Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness; Large animal zoonotic diseases; Proper and safe restraint techniques for injured and sick animals; Additional information on rabies quarantine procedures and requirements; Heartworms and intestinal parasites; Shelter work; Exotic pets; More in-depth on individual zoonotic diseases; hydrotherapy, burn care/joint & pain management, career paths for RVT, animal massage, animal rehabilitation, more on the prevalence of diseases in Harris County, West Nile virus, canine distemper, parvo, kennel cough treatment and prevention, more on rabies prevention, mircroscopic examinations for common diseases, Suggestions for conference improvements: Attendees were also asked for ways in which the conference could be improved. Suggestions such as, electronic conference information, clearer pre-registration process, improved use of technology for speakers, standardized speaker times, less statistics and more anecdotal information, eliminate duplication of information, verify all of speaker s content to eliminate presentation of inaccurate information, ensure all speakers understand the roles of an RVT, Vet Assistant, and CVA., ensure speakers repeat audience questions to clarify, and utilize actual data from clinical trials instead of internet sources. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 6

7 Hot Wash Report: Soon after the conference, HCPHES VPH chaired a hot wash (after incident meeting) to quickly ascertain what worked well and what could be improved upon. Below are the results of this Hot wash: Sustain Quick Fixes Needs Improvement Pre-registration Free CE conference conference at least 5 hours Assign AV equipment to one expert Conference volunteers wear the same attire. On-site alphabetical certificate distribution Merial information table & representatives Credentials on name tags Provide at least one meal Provide mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks Provide water in each tote bag Materials bundled prior to event Quality of facility Merial partnership VPH T-shirt sales VPH materials distribution Provide release to Tomball College regarding the conference to eliminate future errors Obtain contact information from on-site registrants Develop a form for on-site registration Charge on-site registrants an attendance fee Factor in a no-show percentage Use a county facility conference facility so as to ensure all attendees understand that it was HCPHES and Merial providing the conference Clearer directions or map Reduce conference to 5 hours, RVT CE annual requirement Review and approve all presentation Develop an AV facility manager/checklist Provide conference materials on a CD, eliminate conference note book Moderator needs to better introduce the speakers and highlight the importance of each presentation Provide boxed lunches to speed up lunch and enable audience to eat during presentations Eliminate no-shows certificates from CE certificates before distribution Put CE Conference on VPH home page and link it to upcoming events Remind volunteers code of conduct Place focus groups into agenda, rather than during attendees personal time Clarify pre-registration No contact information from on-site registrants Factor in no-show percentage to reduce waste Better conference planning at least 30 days in advance Ensure facilities contract is in place ahead of time LSC-Tomball RVT program partnership with VPH Location closer to VPH (possible shelter tour after conference) Signs to direct attendees to conference center Consistency in timing for sessions/presentations Problems with AV equipment for MAC formats Problems with presentation links Use name tags for conference helpers Categorize zoonotic diseases by system impacted Eg. Respiratory, Skin, Make conference topics more specific Conference topics were not clearly identified with HCPHES VPH (Speakers/Moderator communication) Some speakers rushed through presentations Inconsistent registration lines vs. certificate lines Not sufficient pretzels/cookies for afternoon snack Consistent times for breaks Clarification of speaker topic & message Eliminate lunchtime focus group Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 7

8 Grant Expenditures: The sum of $2, was used to pay for the materials, costing an average of $25 per attendee for conference handouts. This expense realized a 1 percent reduction from budgeted request. The sum of $1,690 was used to pay for venue rental and food services averaging a fee of $19 per attendee. This expense realized a 3 percent reduction from budgeted request. Overall, the Veterinary Technician Conference was executed to plan and within budget. Merial Requested Merial Actual HCPHES Requested 2, HCPHES Actual Other Services Total Actual Project Management 2, , Support Staff 1, Time 1, , Transportation Materials Distribution Venue Rental Food 1, , , Speakers (in-kind) Pens Tote Bags Printing/Materials 1, Development 1, , Total 3, , , , , Conclusion: Thanks to the kind generosity of the Merial Inc.., HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section was able to hold its 1 st Annual Veterinary Technician Zoonotic Disease Conference. The conference not only provided a vehicle to significantly increase HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonotic section awareness amongst veterinary technicians but also increased overall knowledge of zoonotic disease management and reporting. The partnership between Merial Inc. and HCPHES Veterinary Public Health Zoonosis section complimented each organization s mission and services. Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 8

9 After Action Report Attachments Conference Note Book Conference Feedback Results Pre and Post Conference Survey Project 2009 Zonnotic Disease Veterinary Technician Conference Page 9