Efficiency and Effectiveness of Using Nonmedical Staff During an Urgent Mass Prophylaxis Response

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health tested the readiness of a nonmedical closed point-of-dispensing (POD) site to see how rapidly and accurately it could provide medication to its internal population. Mean throughput and accuracy rates were compared to a previous public POD exercise staffed by health department personnel and medical volunteers. Overall accuracy, and pediatric dosing accuracy, were found to be significantly lower during the closed POD vs. the public POD.