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Table 5 Strengths and challenges of EBS steps tested by the full-scale exercise, After-Action Review findings, Vietnam, 2018

From: Testing early warning and response systems through a full-scale exercise in Vietnam

EBS steps

FSX

objectives

Strengths

Challenges

Detection and Reporting

1, 2

Commune level

• The CHS followed established protocols to detect and report signals to the DHC in a satisfactory manner.

• The CHS lacked visible poster/communication material with the list of signals under surveillance.

District level (hospital)

• The hospital emergency department clinician successfully detected and reported a signal in the presenting patient.

• The hospital emergency department clinician did not use a physical listing of hospital signal criteria to detect a signal in the presenting patient.

Triage

1, 4

Commune level

• The CHS followed established protocols to triage signals to the DHC in a satisfactory manner

• Incomplete triage by the CHS EBS Focal Point prevented certainty that the signal was true.

District level

• Triage by the DHC was successful

• None identified

Verification

1, 3, 4

District level

• The DHC followed protocols to verify suspect cases and report the public health event to the provincial level

• None identified

Risk Assessment

5, 6, 9–19

Provincial level

• The PCDC conducted a quick internal risk assessment to define response activities.

• PCDC didn’t include all available key players to conduct the risk assessment.

Northern Regional PHEOC

• The Northern Regional PHEOC shift from Alert mode to Response mode based on a decision-making process to assess risk.

• None identified

National PHEOC

The risk assessment was performed and agreed upon prior to the declaration of the emergency and activation of the PHEOC.

• None identified

  1. Abbreviation: CHS Commune Health Station; DHC District Health Center; EBS Event-based surveillance; FSX Full-scale exercise; PCDC Provincial Center for Diseases Control; PHEOC Public Health Emergency Operations Center