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 |