Many Public Health Agencies across the country have enlisted the help of other organizations to help with the dispensing process. Hospitals are one of the first organizations to accept the call to action. As part of the critical infrastructure for communities, hospitals must remain operational during medical crises. A key determinant of a hospital's operational capacity is the safety and security of their people. By providing medications or immunizations to their staff, hospitals increase the number of personnel willing and able to report for work, therefore increasing their capacity to help the public. As a partner with public health in many community efforts, there is typically an established link between public health and hospitals.

Other businesses are interested in developing similar partnerships. Key drivers of this interest is two-fold; 1) recognition of critical infrastructure services, and 2) evidence that businesses which close during crisis and fail to reopen within a short time close permanently within a year.

The safety and security of the community rests on the establishment of these public-private partnerships.

A Regional Strategy Example
The Metropolitan Kansas City area is actively recruiting partners for public health preparedness. As part of the Cities Readiness Initiative, local planners are engaging the business community in this important initiative. Many organizations already have disaster recovery plans and a Closed Dispensing Site operation is a practical extension of these plans.

A workbook has been created to provide more information about becoming a Closed Dispensing Site. To view the workbook, click on this link: http://www.marc.org/cri/workbook.pdf.

Example Critical Infrastructure Entities

• Emergency Management
• Emergency Medical Services
• Utilities, Electric, Gas, Water
• Technology & Communications
• Financial Services Industry
• Transportation
• Travel & Hotels
• Law Enforcement

NexGenisys Can Help
MEDS|POD can serve as a "Virtual Pharmacist" for your organization. In partnership with Public Health, you can provide life-saving medications to your employees with confidence

For more information, please contact us at NexGenisys Information or call (816)892-4567 option 2.