Doctors urged to focus on terror readiness

The recent elevation of the U.S. alert status means physicians should check plans to handle and possibly detect a terrorist attack.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. March 3, 2003.

Last month's announcement that the Homeland Security Council would raise the country's terrorism alert status to orange, the second highest level, left many wondering what it meant to them personally.

Attorney General John Ashcroft suggested that Americans continue about their business but with more awareness.

But for physicians -- who may have a significant role in responding to, or even detecting, a terrorist attack, particularly if an infectious agent is used -- the announcement is asking for a little bit more.

Overall, doctors should increase their vigilance for unusual medical conditions and ensure that their links to local public health departments are in place so anything out of the ordinary can be quickly reported.

"We have got to make sure that we are in contact with our public health and state defense authorities to at least be aware of what the communities' response needs will be," said Warren A. Jones, MD, immediate past president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Physicians in solo or small practices should review emergency plans for their offices and employees and, in some instances, be familiar with those of their vendors to ensure that their offices will be equipped with necessary supplies.

In the hospital setting, the orange alert has prompted a review of response plans and preparations for the possibility of mass causalities.

Physicians and other health workers are also encouraged to be aware of procedures for incidents involving radioactive or chemical weapons. Plans are being put in place for drawing in extra staff to expand facilities' surge capacity. Off-site supplies that might be needed during an attack are being readied to roll out at a moment's notice. Defenses against computer viruses are being beefed up, and those who may be needed in emergencies are developing closer relationships with their pagers and cell phones.