Bioterrorism: A Guide for Hospital Preparedness

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-442
Author(s):  
Diane Rimple
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Preparedness

scholarly journals Hospital Preparedness for a Community Measles Outbreak in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s253-s253
Author(s):  
Silvia Fonseca ◽  
Ivana Lucca ◽  
Franceliana Sgobi ◽  
Andre Fioravante ◽  
Alexandre Celia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Maculopapular Rash ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Measles Vaccination

Background: Measles was considered eradicated in Brazil in 2016, but the virus reemerged in the country in 2018, causing large outbreaks. Ribeirao Preto has been measles free since 1997, but the outbreak in Sao Paulo City, 180 miles away in June 2019, alerted us to the possibility of measles patients coming to our emergency room (ER). The preparedness challenge was considerable: most healthcare workers (HCWs) had never seen a measles case before, and confirmatory measles laboratory tests were not readily available to us. Objective: To describe the hospital preparedness for the coming community measles outbreak. Methods: Hospital So Francisco is a 170-bed, general, tertiary-care hospital with 10,000 ER visits monthly. Measles preparedness consisted of measles training classes for HCWs, and flow charts with pictures and measles information in every ER office, also sent to HCW cell phones. We also designated areas for suspected measles patients for prompt medical evaluation; and we implemented mass measles vaccination for all hospital HCWs regardless of vaccination status, excluding pregnant or immunosuppressed HCWs. We considered a measles suspected case any person with fever, 1 of 3 symptoms (cough, coryza or conjunctivitis), and a generalized maculopapular rash with head-to-toe distribution. All contacts for suspected cases were recommended to obtain a measles vaccination. Detection of viral RNA in a biological sample and or a positive IgM result in serum was used to confirm a clinically suspected case. The study period spanned July 2019 to September 2019. Results: Measles training occurred for 3 weeks in July–August and reached 200 HCWs. The measles vaccination was offered July 23 to August 15; 1,362 HCWs were already vaccinated (93% of target population). In total, 35 clinical suspected measles cases were seen in the ER, and 3 of these were HCWs who had received the measles vaccine in their incubation period. Also, 3 patients were admitted to the hospital and 1 to the intensive care unit; there were no deaths. Overall, 8 patients had laboratory-confirmed measles, and 1,343 community contacts of these patients were vaccinated. We did not detect measles transmission to inpatients or to other HCWs after mass vaccination began. In the same period, Sao Paulo state had >7,000 laboratory-confirmed measles cases and 12 deaths. Conclusions: Community measles outbreaks are a challenge for the hospital infection control team, and they can potentially disrupt the daily activities in the hospital. We were able to adequately prepare for the largest state outbreak in 20 years without secondary cases or deaths.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Preparing for the unexpected; A reflection on the Hospital Preparedness for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
P. Jayasekera ◽  
V. Navaratne ◽  
D. Govindapala ◽  
D. Nakkawita ◽  
A. Gamage
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Preparedness

scholarly journals Hospital preparedness for Ebola virus disease: a training course in the Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Carlos ◽  
Rowena Capistrano ◽  
Charissa Fay Tobora ◽  
Charito Aumentado ◽  
Lyndon Lee Suy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Hospital Preparedness

Are Dutch Hospitals Prepared for Chemical, Biological, or Radionuclear Incidents? A Survey Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc J.M. Mortelmans ◽  
Menno I. Gaakeer ◽  
Greet Dieltiens ◽  
Kurt Anseeuw ◽  
Marc B. Sabbe
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
High Doses

AbstractIntroductionBeing one of Europe’s most densely populated countries, and having multiple nuclear installations, a heavy petrochemical industry, and terrorist targets, the Netherlands is at-risk for chemical, biological, or radionuclear (CBRN) incidents. Recent world and continental events show that this threat is real and that authorities may be underprepared.HypothesisThe hypothesis of this study is that Dutch hospitals are underprepared to deal with these incidents.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed. All 93 Dutch hospitals with an emergency department (ED) were sent a link to an online survey on different aspects of CBRN preparedness. Besides specific hospital information, information was obtained on the hospital’s disaster planning; risk perception; and availability of decontamination units, personal protective equipment (PPE), antidotes, radiation detection, infectiologists, isolation measures, and staff training.ResultsResponse rate was 67%. Sixty-two percent of participating hospitals were estimated to be at-risk for CBRN incidents. Only 40% had decontamination facilities and 32% had appropriate PPE available for triage and decontamination teams. Atropine was available in high doses in all hospitals, but specific antidotes that could be used for treating victims of CBRN incidents, such as hydroxycobolamine, thiosulphate, Prussian blue, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), or pralidoxime, were less frequently available (74%, 65%, 18%, 14%, and 42%, respectively). Six percent of hospitals had radioactive detection equipment with an alarm function and 22.5% had a nuclear specialist available 24/7 in case of disasters. Infectiologists were continuously available in 60% of the hospitals. Collective isolation facilities were present in 15% of the hospitals.Conclusion:There is a serious lack of hospital preparedness for CBRN incidents in The Netherlands.MortelmansLJM, GaakeerMI, DieltiensG, AnseeuwK, SabbeMB. Are Dutch hospitals prepared for chemical, biological, or radionuclear incidents? A survey study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(5):483–491.

scholarly journals Applicability and Usefulness of Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE) Course in Southeast Asia

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (S2) ◽  
pp. S123-S124 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Dey ◽  
A. Vu ◽  
T. Herbosa ◽  
P. Collier
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Hospital Preparedness

Factors Influencing Hospital Resilience

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Khademi Jolgehnejad ◽  
Reza Ahmadi Kahnali ◽  
ALi Heyrani
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Resilience Process ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Improve Hospital ◽  
Hospital Manager

ABSTRACT This study aims at investigating the influencing factors on hospital resilience. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was conducted. Six databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, SAGE, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2018. Sixteen studies were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Content analysis revealed 22 influencing factors were included in a framework with 2 dimensions: (1) phases of the hospital resilience process (preparation, response, and recovery/growth) and (2) the key components of the hospital (staff, infrastructure, management, and logistics). Considering the factors that emerged from this research, suggestions were made to improve hospital resilience. The results of this research will enable a hospital manager to develop better plans for hospital preparedness, as well as perform more effectively before, during, and after disasters.

Surge Capacity of Hospitals in Emergencies and Disasters With a Preparedness Approach: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 612-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hojjat Sheikhbardsiri ◽  
Ahmad Reza Raeisi ◽  
Mahmood Nekoei-moghadam ◽  
Fatemeh Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Basic Element ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Hospital Preparedness

AbstractObjectiveSurge capacity is one of the most important components of hospital preparedness for responding to emergencies and disasters. The ability to provide health and medical care during a sudden increase in the number of patients or victims of disasters is a main concern of hospitals. We aimed to perform a systematic review of hospital surge capacity in emergencies and disasters with a preparedness approach.MethodsA systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The key words “surge,” “surge capacity,” “preparedness,” “hospital emergency department,” “hospital,” “surge capability,” “emergency,” “hazard,” “disaster,” “catastrophe,” “crisis,” and “tragedy” were used in combination with the Boolean operators OR and AND. The Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Pro Quest, and Wiley databases were searched.ResultsA total of 1008 articles were extracted and 17 articles were selected for final review of surge capacity based on the objective of the study. Seventeen studies (1 randomized controlled trial, 2 qualitative studies, and 14 cross-sectional studies) investigated the surge capacity of hospitals in emergencies and disasters to evaluate the best evidence to date. The results of selected articles indicated that there are various ways to increase the capacity of hospitals in 4 domains: staff, stuff, structure, and system.ConclusionSurge capacity is a basic element of disaster preparedness programs. Results of the current study could help health field managers in hospitals to prepare for capacity-building based on surge capacity components to improve and promote hospital preparedness programs. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:612–620)

Optimizing Health Care Coalitions: Conceptual Frameworks and a Research Agenda

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Hupert ◽  
Karen Biala ◽  
Tara Holland ◽  
Avi Baehr ◽  
Aisha Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
The Us ◽  
Hospital Preparedness

AbstractThe US health care system has maintained an objective of preparedness for natural or manmade catastrophic events as part of its larger charge to deliver health services for the American population. In 2002, support for hospital-based preparedness activities was bolstered by the creation of the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program, now called the Hospital Preparedness Program, in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Since 2012, this program has promoted linking health care facilities into health care coalitions that build key preparedness and emergency response capabilities. Recognizing that well-functioning health care coalitions can have a positive impact on the health outcomes of the populations they serve, this article informs efforts to optimize health care coalition activity. We first review the landscape of health care coalitions in the United States. Then, using principles from supply chain management and high-reliability organization theory, we present 2 frameworks extending beyond the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s current guidance in a way that may help health care coalition leaders gain conceptual insight into how different enterprises achieve similar ends relevant to emergency response. We conclude with a proposed research agenda to advance understanding of how coalitions can contribute to the day-to-day functioning of health care systems and disaster preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness.2015;9:717–723)

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