Modifying Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Pages in this Report
  1. Table of Contents
  2. About
  3. Acknowledgements
  4. Overview
  5. Before an Incident—Preparing for an Advisory
  6. Organizing for Drinking Water Advisories
  7. Collaborating with Partners
  8. Developing a Message
  9. Conducting Exercises
  10. Tools & Templates
  11. During an Incident—Issuing an Advisory
  12. Initiating an Advisory
  13. Preparing an Advisory
  14. Distributing an Advisory
  15. Ending an Advisory
  16. During an Incident: Tools & Templates
  17. After an Incident—Evaluating an Advisory
  18. Reporting Requirements
  19. Debriefing an Incident
  20. Conducting an Evaluation
  21. Modifying Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  22. Continued Public Outreach
  23. Tools and Templates
  24. Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
  25. Tools and Templates
  26. Appendix C: Online Resources
  27. Bibliography
  28. List of Tables
  29. List of Figures
Related Pages

Incorporate Changes into SOPs

Tip

Use the same approach for modifying SOPs after an exercise or an advisory.

Develop recommendations to improve communication and SOPs using information derived from the debriefing and evaluation processes. Incorporate changes in water system protocols and communication activities. Use a Corrective Action Tracking Form [DOCX – 1 page] and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Updates. [DOCX – 1 page]

Participants of the advisory and debriefing need to know the results of the evaluation process. Reports should reflect the size and scope of the drinking water advisory and can range from a simple memo to a full-scale report. A report should summarize essential information for other post-incident steps. See the Follow-Up Memo. [DOCX – 1 page]

Routine updating of contact lists is an essential task. Use the debriefing process as an opportunity to improve this resource. Ensure routine updating by including it in regular protocols. Build reminders, such as online calendar prompts, into plans to update contact lists.

Page last reviewed: June 30, 2022
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)