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ANDY STERGACHIS, PH.D., is Professor of Epidemiology and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy; and CATHERINE M. WETMORE, M.P.H., is a graduate student, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington (UW), Seattle. MICHELLE PENNYLEGION, M.P.H., is Program Manager, Community Health Services Division, Public Health—Seattle & King County. RANDAL D. BEATON, PH.D., EMT, is Research Professor, Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, and Adjunct Research Professor, School of Public Health and Community Medicine; and BRYANT T. KARRAS, M.D., is Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services, School of Medicine, and Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UW. DEAN WEBB, M.S., is Chief Pharmacist; DIANE YOUNG, B.F.A., is Risk Communications Specialist, Public Health Communications Division; and MICHAEL LOEHR, M.P.A., is Preparedness Section Manager, Public Health—Seattle & King County.

Address correspondence to Dr. Stergachis at the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Box 354809, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 (stergach{at}u.washington.edu).

Purpose. The effectiveness of a point of dispensing (POD) used in a mass dispensing exercise was evaluated. Methods. Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC), in conjunction with the University of Washington, conducted a functional exercise of mass dispensing plans to test the effectiveness of a POD. Specifically, the organization and maintenance of patient flow, staffing model, signage, and dissemination of public information were evaluated. A data collection application using cellular telephones was used to record time and patient flow data to evaluate patient flow. Questionnaires distributed to staff and volunteer patients at the end of the exercise obtained feedback regarding the setup, organization, and operations of the POD. Results. The POD was operational for approximately 68 minutes. The majority of POD staff reported feeling comfortable with their specific job tasks and duties within 15 minutes of opening the doors to the POD to the public. Staff questionnaires also revealed a high level of self-reported confidence in their ability and in the ability of their colleagues to perform the job-specific responsibilities required of them or respond to this hypothetical event. The majority of volunteer patients found the signs helpful and easy to follow and the check-in form easy to complete. Despite efforts to provide patients with oral and written information about the medications being dispensed, only 80% indicated that they knew how to take the medication, and only 73% reported understanding the medication instructions for all the individuals for whom they picked up medication. Conclusion. The majority of volunteer patients and staff who participated in a functional exercise of mass dispensing plans found the POD to be effective. Time-flow analysis provided preliminary estimates of the total amount of time needed to complete the dispensing process for each head of household. Index terms: Disaster planning; Dispensing; Drug distribution; Emergencies; Patient information; Time studies