NM MEMS Framework

The New Mexico Modular Emergency Medical System (NM MEMS) Framework

Summary: Point of Dispensing (POD) sites are designed to provide mass prophylaxis, as well as patient information and individual support services.

Description: POD sites do not provide direct patient care. The number of POD sites and locations needed to conduct mass prophylaxis activities are scalable based on the incident/event and are located in pre-identified facilities throughout the State of New Mexico.

A key to decreasing the impact of an infectious disease is to provide a vaccine, if available, or treatment with antibiotics or other appropriate medications as soon as possible to those exposed to a pathogenic agent. PODs will be implemented at pre-designated sites to provide mass prophylaxis. Guidance on prioritization of groups to receive medications will be developed at the State level and disseminated to communities for implementation into their planning process. This information should be communicated to the public prior to any incident, to increase the likelihood that people understand the reasoning behind such decisions. Proper planning and early incorporation of those decisions into the community’s emergency operations plan (EOP) will minimize delays and confusion. These plans should also be coordinated with State plans for the receipt of these pharmaceuticals.

No New Mexico communities have enough pharmaceutical supplies readily available to them for mass prophylaxis programs. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed caches of medications and medical supplies specifically for use during a chemical or biological terrorist attack, infectious disease outbreak or disaster. The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV and airway maintenance supplies and medical/surgical items. The SNS is designed to rapidly supplement and resupply local and state public health and medical agencies in a national emergency. These supply shipments, called Twelve-hour Push Packs or Vendor Managed Inventory are positioned in strategically located and secure warehouses and ready for immediate release to a designated area within 12 hours of the federal decision to deploy SNS assets. New Mexico’s SNS program is administered by the Bureau of Health Emergency Management. Even if the SNS is not deployed, the POD concept can be used to provide medication, patient information and individual support services as needed.

Planning Assumptions:

a. New Mexico Department of Health personnel at local and regional levels are responsible for the oversight and management of POD sites. PODS that are implemented by tribes on tribal lands will be managed by tribal personnel.


b. In order to conduct a mass prophylaxis effort, a decision must be made regarding the breakdown and distribution approach to be used for the target population. Depending on the type of incident and how much information is available to the regional officials, prophylactic treatment may be appropriate for all of the population in the affected area, or for only a subset of it. Further, the dosage of medication distributed (e.g. a 3 day supply or more) will also affect the number of persons treated. These decisions are the domain of public health officials.


c. Security at each POD site will be necessary, particularly if there is any measure of public panic.


d. In areas of multi-ethnicity, language interpretation services will be required. This includes persons who can interpret verbal, as well as written information. At the POD site locations, this will be particularly important for screening (exposure, consent and allergy screening) and self-care instruction.


e. Interpretation of information for visually and hearing impaired individuals and other services to accommodate persons with physical and cognitive disabilities should be provided.


f. Mass prophylaxis programs should complement treatment provided by the AOCAs.


g. Community Outreach augments a mass prophylaxis program beyond what the AOCA can provide and reach affected individuals who are unable to visit an AOCA.


h. In multi-jurisdictional communities (e.g. county and tribe), cooperative and collaborative planning is essential in executing effective community outreach and mass prophylaxis programs. Many people in New Mexico live in one jurisdiction and work in another. For this reason, mutual advance planning and exercises are strongly encouraged.

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