Bioterrorism Training

In partnership with The Center for the Deterrence of Biowarfare and Bioterrorism,U of L's Standardized Patient Program is creating highly realistic scenarios involving biological agent exposure. Several effective techniques have been developed to use moulage (theatrical makeup) to closely simulate the clinical manifestations of diseases such as smallpox, cutaneous anthrax, bubonic plague, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. The standardized patients learn to assume all physical and psychological aspects of the patient being simulated: not only the history, but also the body language, physical findings, and emotional and personality traits as well.

Going the Extra Mile

Our patients are trained by physicians and content experts to meet rigorous standards of content knowledge and symptom simulation. In addition, they regularly engage in the evaluation process while participating in preparedness drills. In this way we are able to:

• Accurately portray clinical symptoms of biological agents
• Provide drill controllers with additional process observers
• Provide hospitals, clinicians and drill controllers with patients' perspectives on the care and treatment they receive during preparedness exercises

In 2005, we participated in the following drills as an extension of our partnership with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security:

• Dallas- Fort Worth International Airport Lifesaver 2005 (Images available)
• United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) at Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
• Tri-State Homeland Security Exercise, Erlanger, KY
• Laurel Co. KY HAZMAT exercise
• US Department of Agriculture- Frankfort, KY
• School House Rocked- Somerset, KY
• SINBAD- Southern Indiana Bioterrorism Attack and Defense
  

Incorporating Human Patient Simulators

Our program is also utilizing the resources of U of L's Paris Simulation Center to create clinical scenarios involving biothreat agents to be presented using its computer-controlled mannequins. The mannequins provide an opportunity for trainees to diagnose and manage diseases such as inhalational anthrax or botulism in a highly realistic environment.

These activities are funded in part by generous grants from the following agencies:

• Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)‡
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)‡

‡ - These two grants are held in partnership with our colleagues in the School for Public Health and Information Sciences through the Center for Deterrence of Biowarfare and Bioterrorism.

Partnerships

• UofL Center for Deterrence of Biowarfare and Bioterrorism
• Kentucky Office of Homeland Security
• Louisville Metro Health Department
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Health Resources Services Administration
• Kentucky Dept for Public Health
• Jefferson County, KY Sheriff
• U. S. Marshal Service
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• US Secret Service
• FPS (Federal Protective Services)
• TSA (Transportation Safety Administration)
• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Louisville Metro EMA (Emergency Medical Administration)
• U of L School of Public
• Health Law
• Louisville International Airport Police
• Louisville Fire & Rescue
• Jefferson County EMS (Emergency Medical Services)
• Louisville International CFR
• Jefferson County Corrections
• 41st Civilian Support Team
• Many more including state & federal agencies and private sector agencies