ABSTRACT
CONTENTS Surge Capacity ........................................................................................ 216 Worried-Well .......................................................................................... 218 Disaster Mental Health Responsibilities .................................................. 220 Triage...................................................................................................... 221 Disaster Mental Health Role ................................................................... 222 The Role of DMH in Pandemic and Bioterrorism Responses ................. 222 Conclusion.............................................................................................. 224 References ............................................................................................... 224
The threat of an avian influenza pandemic has forced the healthcare system of the United States to reexamine its capability to respond to a sudden, overwhelming demand for services. Researchers have been consistent in their conclusions that most American medical systems do not have sufficient resources to adequately meet the surge in demand expected in the event of a pandemic or bioterrorism attack (AHRQ, 2004 & AHRQ, 2005).
