Report 2018-116 Recommendation 4 Responses

Report 2018-116: San Diego's Hepatitis A Outbreak: By Acting More Quickly, the County and City of San Diego Might Have Reduced the Spread of the Disease (Release Date: December 2018)

Recommendation #4 To: San Diego, County of

To better ensure effective collaboration and cooperation with other local jurisdictions, the county should finalize its draft policy that requires it to respond to future outbreaks by promptly convening policy groups that include representatives from relevant local jurisdictions. Furthermore, to facilitate improved communication with and participation from jurisdictions potentially affected by disease outbreaks, the county should promptly share relevant data with each jurisdiction.

60-Day Agency Response

On November 30, 2018, the County finalized a policy titled Activation of the Policy Group for Management and Oversight of Public Health Threats. The policy provides guidance regarding the circumstances under which the Public Health Officer (PHO) should recommend the activation of the Policy Group in response to a public health threat. It also includes description of staff roles and responsibilities and decision-making process for activation/termination of the Policy Group. In addition, this policy details procedures for communication from the PHO to relevant jurisdictions.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2018-116

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.