The Monkeypox Crisis: Knowledge, Skills and Tools that OEM Physicians Can Rapidly Deploy to Protect Healthcare Workers

During these unprecedented times when Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) physicians have been continuously adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect workers and patients, we now face the threat of yet another emerging pathogen – the monkeypox virus. Since early July 2022, occupational health physician leaders in medical centers (such as those within the Yale New Haven Health System and Mayo Clinic) have collaborated with other departmental leaders including infection prevention, medical informatics, pharmacy, and others to add monkeypox prevention and response to their services. Led by OEM, these multi-disciplinary teams rapidly developed, deployed and refined care management workflows; adapted their telehealth services; implemented vaccination prioritization and administration protocols; and developed post-exposure tracking, communication and educational tools. The presenters will: 1) discuss the epidemiology of the monkeypox outbreak, including necessary PPE and environmental control measures to prevent transmission, 2) review the available vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure considerations, and 3) share strategies and tools that have been developed for occupational program management including risk assessment and contact tracing methods, vaccine prioritization and protocols, and communication and education materials for exposed workers. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to: 1. Describe the epidemiology of monkeypox, unique attributes of the 2022 outbreak, routes of transmission, and control measures necessary to keep healthcare workers safe. 2. Discuss the use of vaccines for both post-exposure scenarios and pre-exposure vaccination of high risk groups. 3. Apply strategies to promote collaboration across many disciplines to establish priorities and action plans for contact tracing, vaccination and monitoring. 4. Adapt tools developed and implemented by the faculty physicians to conduct exposure risk assessments, and track post-exposure vaccination self-monitoring and follow-up. Faculty and Planners with Disclosure Mark Russi, MD, MPH, FACOEM Medical Director, Wellness and Employee Population Health Yale New Haven Health System Professor, Medicine and Epidemiology, Yale University Dr. Russi has nothing to disclose Melanie Swift, MD, MPH, FACOEM Medical Director, Physician Health Center Associate Medical Director, Occupational Health Vice Chair, Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine Associate Professor of Medicine Mayo Clinic Dr. Swift has nothing to disclose Craig D. Thorne, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP, FACOEM Chief Medical Director, Occupational Medicine and Business Health Services Yale New Haven System Dr. Thorne has nothing to disclose

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