A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) readiness review site visit of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has resulted in the agency receiving stellar reviews.
The CDC assessment determined the OSDH ranks in the top 14 percent of all medical countermeasure supply recipients across the nation who have received CDC evaluations.
The review is an effort comprised of exploring areas of community preparedness, emergency operations coordination, emergency public information and warning; medical countermeasure dispensing, medical material management and distribution; responder safety and health; and volunteer management.
“This review reflects the extraordinary level of commitment and dedication by the OSDH Emergency Preparedness and Response Service and a large number of state and local partners,” Tom Bates, interim commissioner of Health, said. “Oklahoma has made tremendous progress in improving preparedness to face health emergencies. Our agency stands ready to respond to a public health threat, and will continue to work to improve our practices. I appreciate the efforts of our staff at the state level as well as the county local emergency response coordinators.”
The operational readiness assessment also seeks to evaluate state and local capabilities to distribute and dispense life-saving medicines such as antibiotics in affected areas of a public health emergency such as plague, anthrax or pandemic flu.