Learning Objectives
Describe the purpose and function of the Health Alert Network
Differentiate between Health Alert, Advisory, and Update messages
Identify Nevada public health reporting contacts and hotlines
Explain the nurse's role in receiving and acting on HAN messages
Describe the Strategic National Stockpile and deployment process
Implement facility protocols for HAN message dissemination
What is the Health Alert Network?
CDC's Primary Emergency Communication System
The Health Alert Network (HAN) is CDC's primary method for sharing urgent health information with public health officials, clinicians, and health agencies across the nation. It provides real-time, accurate information during public health threats.
24/7/365
Messages distributed around the clock
Multi-Channel
Email, fax, phone, web portal
Wide Reach
Public health, clinicians, hospitals
HAN is Used For:
- Bioterrorism threats and events
- Disease outbreak notifications
- Chemical/radiological emergencies
- Natural disaster health guidance
- Drug recalls and safety alerts
- Vaccine recommendations
HAN Message Types
HEALTH ALERT
HIGHEST PRIORITY - Requires IMMEDIATE Action
Issued for major public health threats requiring urgent clinical or public health action. These messages demand your immediate attention and response.
"Suspected anthrax exposure at downtown federal building. Implement prophylaxis protocols immediately for all potentially exposed individuals."
HEALTH ADVISORY
Important Information - May Require Specific Action
Provides important information for a specific action or event. May not require immediate action but warrants awareness and possible preparation.
"Increase in measles cases in Clark County. Review vaccination status of patients and staff. Enhanced surveillance recommended."
HEALTH UPDATE
Updated Information on Ongoing Situation
Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation. May update previous alerts or advisories with new findings or recommendations.
"Update on influenza activity: Influenza A(H3N2) now predominant strain. Consider this in differential diagnosis. Antiviral resistance patterns unchanged."
Key Point: Urgency Levels
| Type | Urgency | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| ALERT | Highest | IMMEDIATE action required |
| ADVISORY | Moderate | Specific action may be needed |
| UPDATE | Lower | Awareness and monitoring |
Information Flow: From CDC to Bedside
HAN Message Distribution Chain
Based on surveillance data, outbreak investigation, or threat assessment
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
Southern Nevada Health District, Washoe County Health District, etc.
Hospitals, clinics, EMS agencies via email, fax, phone trees
Through charge nurse, email, huddles, facility communication systems
Reporting Goes BOTH Ways
Information flows DOWN from CDC to you, but it also flows UP. When YOU recognize an unusual pattern or suspect a bioterrorism event, you initiate the chain going the OTHER direction - reporting to your charge nurse, infection control, then to local health department.
Nevada Public Health Contacts
EMERGENCY REPORTING NUMBERS
For suspected bioterrorism or public health emergencies, call IMMEDIATELY - do NOT wait for lab confirmation.
STATE LEVEL
(775) 684-4200
dpbh.nv.gov
Lead state agency for public health emergencies
(775) 684-5911 (24/7)
For urgent disease reporting after hours
LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICTS
(Clark County - Las Vegas area)
(702) 759-1300
24/7: (702) 759-1000
(Reno/Sparks area)
(775) 328-2447
(775) 887-2190
Federal Contacts
770-488-7100
24/7 Emergency Line
(702) 385-1281
Bioterrorism is a federal crime
1-800-222-1222
Chemical exposures
SAVE THESE NUMBERS
Every nurse should have these emergency reporting numbers readily accessible. Program them into your phone or post them in your work area. In an emergency, you won't have time to search for them.
Nevada Reporting Requirements
NAC 632.340 - Nurse Reporting Obligations
Under Nevada Administrative Code, nurses are legally required to report certain conditions to public health authorities. This includes suspected bioterrorism events and unusual disease clusters.
What Must Be Reported IMMEDIATELY
- • Anthrax (suspected or confirmed)
- • Smallpox
- • Plague
- • Botulism
- • Tularemia
- • Viral hemorrhagic fevers
- • Unusual disease clusters
- • Diseases outside endemic areas
- • Severe illness in healthy individuals
- • Unusual temporal/geographic clustering
- • Multiple patients with rare diseases
CRITICAL: Do NOT Wait for Lab Confirmation
Report SUSPECTED cases immediately. Laboratory confirmation can take days. Early notification allows public health to begin investigation and response while awaiting confirmatory tests.
Time lost waiting for lab results = time the outbreak continues to spread.
Reporting Hierarchy
Immediate notification within your unit
Activate facility protocols
Southern Nevada Health District, Washoe County, etc.
Coordinates state response and CDC notification
Notified by state; coordinates federal response
Nurse Responsibilities for HAN Messages
When You Receive a HAN Message
Read the ENTIRE message - delays can cost lives
Per facility protocol - many systems track this
Share with appropriate staff and departments
Act on recommended actions without delay
Record all actions taken in response
Notify authorities of any relevant cases
Be a Surveillance Partner
As a frontline nurse, you are a critical node in the public health surveillance network. You may be the FIRST to recognize patterns that indicate a bioterrorism event or outbreak.
- • Stay alert for unusual disease patterns
- • Ask about recent travel, exposures, contacts
- • Trust your clinical instincts - if something seems wrong, report it
- • Know your facility's reporting protocols
Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
The Nation's Emergency Medical Supply
The Strategic National Stockpile is the nation's largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use during public health emergencies severe enough to deplete local resources.
SNS Contents Include
- Antibiotics for bacterial agents (anthrax, plague, tularemia)
- Antitoxins (botulinum, diphtheria)
- Vaccines (smallpox)
- Personal protective equipment
- Ventilators and medical supplies
- Nerve agent antidotes (atropine, 2-PAM)
Deployment Process
- 1Governor requests SNS through State Health Officer
- 2CDC reviews request and authorizes deployment
- 312-Hour Push Packages arrive within 12 hours
- 4Vendor Managed Inventory follows (24-36 hours)
- 5State distributes through planned networks
12-Hour Push Packages
These pre-configured containers of medical supplies can be delivered ANYWHERE in the United States within 12 hours. They contain a broad spectrum of supplies for an initially unknown threat. More specific supplies follow based on the identified agent.
Key Takeaways
HAN is CDC's primary emergency communication system - 24/7/365
ALERT = immediate action; ADVISORY = important info; UPDATE = ongoing situation
Report IMMEDIATELY - do NOT wait for lab confirmation
Know your local health department contact numbers
Southern Nevada Health District: (702) 759-1300
Nevada DPBH: (775) 684-4200
SNS can deliver supplies within 12 hours anywhere in the US
You are a critical surveillance partner - trust your instincts