ABSTRACT
Abstract: This chapter presents a case study of an emergency response system called STATPack™ (Secure Telecommunications Application Terminal Package) that utilizes video telemedicine technology for microbiology laboratory diagnostics and consultation about suspicious organisms. The chapter begins with an overview of the STATPack™ system functionality and the user interface the system provides for public health laboratorians during emergencies. The chapter continues with an analysis of the current usage during emergencies and examines what lessons can be learned. Since its inception, the system has been used for emergency situations dealing with Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia (rabbit fever), a potentially deadly disease, and Bacillus spp (anthrax suspects). In addition, STATPack™ has been used to help identify less significant but technically challenging cultures such as Clostridium perfringens, and various fungal organisms. The contribution of this research is that it is one of the first assessments of how well a medical emergency response system (ERS) met the needs of first responders in actual emergencies and what lessons were learned.
