Title
a. Receive an oral report from the Health Department regarding the Department Operations Center’s COVID-19 After-Action Report and Improvement Plan; and
b. Provide direction to staff, as necessary.
Presenter: Dr. Ed Moreno, Health Officer
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral report from the Health Department regarding the Department Operations Center’s COVID-19 After-Action Report and Improvement Plan; and
b. Provide direction to staff, as necessary.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In December 2019, the County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD) began monitoring an outbreak of a novel coronavirus occurring in China. On January 23, 2020, the MCHD issued its first local health advisory informing healthcare providers about the situation and providing recommendations for screening and reporting. The MCHD began monitoring travelers returning from countries with reported COVID-19 cases on February 10, 2020. On March 3, 2020, in alignment with the MCHD’s Initial Threat Assessment Protocol, MCHD activated its Department Operations Center (DOC). The primary goal for the MCHD DOC was to minimize loss of life, with a secondary goal to assist hospitals in maintaining their ability to treat critically ill individuals. MCHD permanent staff, temporary hires, and volunteers were mobilized to support DOC priority activities related to COVID-19 response, operating in alignment with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). The DOC remained active through June 23, 2023, when MCHD determined that the nature and scope of response could be transitioned to routine business operations.
An After-Action Report (AAR) and Improvement Plan (IP) are normally completed following operation center deactivation. Typically, an AAR captures what happened, what response activities should be reinforced and repeated, and what challenges should be addressed to bolster successful responses to future incidents. The IP is an important AAR component, highlighting specific opportunities for future improvement and providing a "roadmap" for achievement. The IP typically includes specific recommendations to close identified gaps and develop standard operating procedures for a unified response.
MCHD engaged an independent external contractor, Tamarack MGMT, to develop the DOC’s COVID-19 pandemic response AAR and IP. During this oral report, MCHD will provide a summary of the DOC’s COVID-19 pandemic response AAR and IP. The report will include the AAR and IP parameters, how the AAR and IP were developed, summarized AAR and IP findings, and next steps for implementing recommendations.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 1) Empower the community to improve health; 2) Enhance community health and safety; 3) Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services, and 4) Engage Health Department workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports seven of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1) Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets; 2) Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; 3) Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it; 7) Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy; 8) Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce; 9) Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement; and 10) Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Stakeholders from the Health Department, other County departments, government agencies, health care facilities, schools, and community-based organizations were invited to participate in the MCHD DOC AAR and IP process.
FINANCING:
There is no effect to the County General Fund resulting from the receipt of this report.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Kristy Michie, Assistant Bureau Chief, 755-4053
Approved by:
______________________________ Date:_______________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment(s):
Staff Report
PowerPoint Presentation