October 26, 2001

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the recent reports of anthrax cases – both feared and actual – many Americans are confronting new worries about bioterrorism. While national and local health officials advise against panic, MGH clinicians and administrators are offering information to educate employees and the public about bioterrorist agents, as well as highlighting the hospital’s planned response to any crisis.

The quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) Oct. 18 featured a presentation, "Bioterrorism: What Every MGH Physician Should Know," and provided an overview of the MGH’s planned response to a disaster situation.

"The MGH has a disaster response plan that fits into the broader response of the city of Boston," explained Britain Nicholson, MD, chief medical officer. The MGH would work within the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals – in conjunction with Boston Emergency Medical Services, the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, Boston Emergency Management Association and the Boston Public Health Commission – to formulate an appropriate course of action for a bioterrorist attack or other emergency.

The MGH has long had in place a comprehensive disaster plan for all departments, and the MGH Disaster Committee currently is working with senior leadership to review and augment that plan in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The revisions will ensure that the MGH is prepared to accept, triage and treat a large number of patients brought in from a potential disaster in Boston or elsewhere. The plan also will address hazardous materials, evacuation issues and bioterrorism.

David Hooper, MD, chief of the MGH Infection Control Unit, and Stephen Calderwood, MD, chief of the MGH Division of Infectious Diseases, are leading a subcommittee focusing on the threat of bioterrorism and the MGH’s subsequent role and response. Calderwood and Hooper offered a series of bioterrorism information sessions for MGH employees during the past two weeks.

At these sessions, health care workers received information about the identification and treatment of likely bioterrorist agents, such as anthrax and smallpox. Calderwood stressed the importance of remaining calm and relying upon "clearly defined lines of communication" in handling a potential bioterrorist attack. "As worrisome as bioterrorism is, we should remember that these are diseases we have handled before and know how to deal with," he said. "Bioterrorist incidents may involve the care of critically ill patients, but that is what the MGH is all about."

In the event of encountering a patient with suspicious symptoms, MGH employees are asked to notify the Division of Infectious Diseases promptly at (617) 726-3812. In the event of seeing or receiving a piece of suspicious or threatening mail, employees immediately should contact MGH Police and Security at (617) 726-2121.

For the text of the MGPO presentation and information about bioterrorism, visit http://oi.mgh.harvard.edu (site available only in the MGH Intranet).