Key Terms
PUBLIC HEALTH IN PHARMACY PRACTICE
A CASEBOOK 2ND EDITION MODULE 21: ANTICIPATING ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOTERRORISM THREATS Study Guide
Bioterrorism
Use of biological agents as a method of terrorism
Most likely attack scenario
Dispersal of a pathogen in a densely populated area.
Financial impact
Pharmacists have the potential to reduce the financial impact of bioterrorist attacks on both the healthcare facility an
Agent
Bacillus anthracis Gram stain appearance: gram-positive rods, square-ended, in pairs Confirmed by: Laboratory Response N
Chest auscultation
Rhonchi present
Probable case
Clinical signs consistent with inhalation anthrax (fever, respiratory distress, pleural effusion, mediastinal widening)
Confirmed case
Clinical criteria PLUS laboratory confirmation via LRN-validated PCR detection of B. anthracis
LRN
National laboratory network capable of validating and confirming biological threat agents including B. anthracis by PCR.
SNS
Federal repository of medications, vaccines, and medical supplies maintained for deployment during mass casualty events.
What SNS can supply
Antibiotics (including ciprofloxacin and doxycycline for anthrax PEP), vaccines, and other medical countermeasures
Activation process
State requests SNS activation; federal government responds
SNS timeline
From initial notification to when PODs receive SNS assets. (The exact hour figure is not stated in the source text, but
POD
Designated site where medications or vaccines are distributed to the public during a mass casualty event or public healt
Reasons
Social, economic, and cultural factors influence health-seeking behavior; patients with barriers to primary care still a