A tabletop school bus rollover: Connecticut-wide drills to build pediatric disaster preparedness and promote a novel hospital disaster readiness checklist

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
Mark X. Cicero, MD ◽  
Klevi Golloshi, BS ◽  
Marcie Gawel, MSN ◽  
James Parker, MD ◽  
Marc Auerbach, MD, MSci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Coalition Building ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
School Bus ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Complete Survey ◽  
Survey Responses

Objective: To assess emergency medical services (EMS) and hospital disaster plans and communication and promote an integrated pediatric disaster response in the state of Connecticut, using tabletop exercises to promote education, collaboration, and planning among healthcare entities.Design: Using hospital-specific and national guidelines, a disaster preparedness plan consisting of pediatric guidelines and a hospital checklist was created by The Connecticut Coalition for Pediatric Disaster Preparedness.Setting: Five school bus rollover tabletop exercises were conducted, one in each of Connecticut’s five EMS regions. Action figures and playsets were used to depict patients, healthcare workers, vehicles, the school, and the hospital.Participants: EMS personnel, nurses, physicians and hospital administrators.Intervention: Participants had a facilitated debriefing of the EMS and prehospital response to disasters, communication among prehospital organizations, public health officials, hospitals, and schools, and surge capacity, capability, and alternate care sites. A checklist was completed for each exercise and was used with the facilitated debriefing to generate an after-action report. Additionally, each participant completed a postexercise survey.Main Outcome Measures: Each after-action report and postexercise survey was compared to established guidelines to address gaps in hospital specific pediatric readiness.Results: Exercises occurred at five hospitals, with inpatient capacity ranging 77-1,592 beds, and between 0 and 221 pediatric beds. There were 27 participants in the tabletop exercises, and 20 complete survey responses for analysis (74 percent). After the exercises, pediatric disaster preparedness aligned with coalition guidelines. However, methods of expanding surge capacity and methods of generating surge capacity and capability varied (p 0.031).Conclusion: Statewide tabletop exercises promoted coalition building and revealed gaps between actual and ideal practice. Generation of surge capacity and capability should be addressed in future disaster education.

Emergency Health Surveillance After Severe Flooding in Louisiana, 1995

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia L. Ogden ◽  
Lynn I. Gibbs-Scharf ◽  
Melvin A. Kohn ◽  
Josephine Malilay
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Flash Flooding ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Disaster Area ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Service Disruption ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Severe Flooding

AbstractIntroduction:In disaster situations, timely surveillance systems that provide illness, injury, and mortality information to public health officials and hospitals are essential for planning and evaluating interventions.Objectives:To describe flood surveillance methodology, the impact of the event on hospitals, and the number of daily patient visits due to selected illnesses and injuries before, during, and after severe flooding in southeastern Louisiana in May 1995.Methods:Survey of disaster-area hospitals regarding flood impact. Emergency department surveillance of injuries and illnesses for the week before, the two days during, and the week after the flood.Results:There occurred an increase in the number of persons who drowned or were injured that presented to the moderately affected hospitals during the storm, but there was no increase in visits for gastroenteritis to any group of hospitals. Services were disrupted in more than half of hospitals. The severely affected hospitals had the least variation in the average number of daily visits. None of the drownings were reported by those hospitals that reported severe service disruption.Conclusions:Data should be collected from all hospitals in or near disaster areas, even if they were not directly affected by the disaster. Public education about the danger of drowning during flash flooding must be improved. The Louisiana experience emphasizes the need for a disaster-preparedness plan for rapid surveillance of illnesses and injuries.

Developing a Hospital Disaster Preparedness Plan for Mass Casualty Incidents: Lessons Learned From the Downtown Beirut Bombing

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen El Sayed ◽  
Ali F. Chami ◽  
Eveline Hitti
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Response System ◽  
General Response

AbstractMass casualty incidents (MCIs) are becoming more frequent worldwide, especially in the Middle East where violence in Syria has spilled over to many neighboring countries. Lebanon lacks a coordinated prehospital response system to deal with MCIs; therefore, hospital preparedness plans are essential to deal with the surge of casualties. This report describes our experience in dealing with an MCI involving a car bomb in an urban area of downtown Beirut, Lebanon. It uses general response principles to propose a simplified response model for hospitals to use during MCIs. A summary of the debriefings following the event was developed and an analysis was performed with the aim of modifying our hospital’s existing disaster preparedness plan. Casualties’ arrival to our emergency department (ED), the performance of our hospital staff during the event, communication, and the coordination of resources, in addition to the response of the different departments, were examined. In dealing with MCIs, hospital plans should focus on triage area, patient registration and tracking, communication, resource coordination, essential staff functions, as well as on security issues and crowd control. Hospitals in other countries that lack a coordinated prehospital disaster response system can use the principles described here to improve their hospital’s resilience and response to MCIs. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 379–385)

scholarly journals (A108) Hospital Disaster Planning: The Structured Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s30-s30
Author(s):  
G.E.A. Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Disaster Planning ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness

BackgroundDisasters and incidents with hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of casualties are not generally addressed in hospital disaster plans. Nevertheless, they may occur, and recent disasters around the globe suggest that it would be prudent for hospitals to improve their preparedness for a mass casualty incident. Disaster, large or small, natural or man-made can strike in many ways and can put the hospital services in danger. Hospitals, because of their emergency services and 24 hour a day operation, will be seen by the public as a vital resource for diagnosis, treatment, and follow up for both physical and psychological care.ObjectivesDevelop a hospital-based disaster and emergency preparedness plan. Consider how a disaster may pose various challenges to hospital disaster response. Formulate a disaster plan for different medical facility response. Assess the need for further changes in existing plans.MethodsThe author uses literature review and his own experience to develop step-by-step logistic approach to hospital disaster planning. The author presents a model for hospital disaster preparedness that produces a living document that contains guidelines for review, testing, education, training and update. The model provides the method to develop the base plan, functional annexes and hazard specific annexes.

Disaster Preparedness in an Australian Urban Trauma Center: Staff Knowledge and Perceptions

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 432-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Corrigan ◽  
Iromi Samrasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Center Staff ◽  
Australian Hospital

AbstractIntroductionA substantial barrier to improving disaster preparedness in Australia is a lack of prescriptive national guidelines based on individual hospital capabilities. A recent literature review revealed that only one Australian hospital has published data regarding its current preparedness level.ObjectivesTo establish baseline levels of disaster knowledge, preparedness, and willingness to respond to a disaster among one hospital's staff, and thus enable the implementation of national disaster preparedness guidelines based on realistic capabilities of individual hospitals.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was distributed to individuals and departments that play key roles in the hospital's external disaster response. Questions concerned prior education and experience specific to disasters, general preparedness knowledge, perceived preparedness of themselves and their department, and willingness to respond to a disaster from a conventional and/or chemical, biological, or radiological incident.ResultsResponses were received from 140 individuals representing nine hospital departments. Eighty-three participants (59.3%) had previously received disaster education; 53 (37.9%) had attended a disaster simulation drill, and 18 (12.9%) had responded to an actual disaster. The average disaster preparedness knowledge score was 3.57 out of 10. The majority of respondents rated themselves as “not really” prepared and were “unsure” of their respective departments’ level of preparedness. Most respondents indicated a willingness to participate in both a conventional incident involving burns and/or physical trauma, and an incident involving chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) weapons.ConclusionsAustralian hospital staff are under-prepared to respond to a disaster because of a lack of education, insufficient simulation exercises, and limited disaster experience. The absence of specific national standards and guidelines through which individual hospitals can develop their capabilities further compounds the poverty in preparedness.CorriganE,SamrasingheI.Disaster preparedness in an Australian urban trauma center: staff knowledge and perceptions.Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(5):1-7.

scholarly journals Disaster Preparedness among Service Dog Puppy- Raisers (Human Subject Sample)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Sarah E. DeYoung ◽  
Ashley K. Farmer ◽  
Zoe Callaro ◽  
Shelby Naar
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Human Subject ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Dog Training ◽  
Service Dog ◽  
Guide Dogs ◽  
Complete Survey ◽  
Evacuation Plan ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
First Time

Little is known about the ways in which puppy raisers engage in disaster preparedness for their puppies (or “guide dogs in training”). The aim of this research is to understand disaster preparedness among service dog puppy raisers. A web-based survey was distributed to people raising puppies in a service dog training program (n = 53 complete survey responses). Questions in the survey included items about disaster preparedness and plans for canine safety in hazards events. Out of those who said they had an evacuation plan for their puppy in training, 59% stated they would put the dog in their vehicles for evacuating to safety in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. The odds of first-time puppy raisers who considered evacuation for Hurricane Irma in 2017 was 15.3 times the odds of repeat raisers. Over half the raisers reported that they did not have a disaster kit. Additionally, 82% of respondents indicated that having a service puppy in training makes them feel safer. These results can be used as a foundation for service dog organizations in disaster preparedness among their puppy raiser volunteers and in designing recruitment messages for new volunteers.

National survey of institutional pediatric disaster preparedness

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Ketterhagen, MD ◽  
Deanna L. Dahl-Grove, MD ◽  
Michele R. McKee, MD
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Disaster Planning ◽  
The United States ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Demographic Patterns ◽  
Survey Responses

Objective: Describe institutional disaster preparations focusing upon the strategies to address pediatric patients in disaster preparedness.Design: Descriptive study using survey methodology.Setting: Hospitals that provide emergency care to pediatric patients throughout the United States.Participants: Survey responses were solicited from hospital personnel that are familiar with the disaster preparedness plan at their institution.Interventions: None.Main outcome measures: Describe how pediatric patients are included in institutional disaster preparedness plans. The presence of a pediatric-specific lead, policies and procedures, and geographic/demographic patterns are also a focus.Results: The survey was distributed to 120 hospitals throughout the United States and responses were received from 29 states. Overall response rate was 58 percent, with 53 percent of the surveys fully completed. Sixty-three percent of hospitals had an individual responsible for pediatric-specific disaster planning and 78 percent specifically addressed the care of pediatric patients (16 yo) in their disaster plan. The hospitals with an individual designated for pediatric disaster planning were more likely to have a disaster plan that specifically addresses the care of pediatric patients (90 percent vs 56 percent; p = 0.015), to represent children with special healthcare needs as simulated patients in disaster exercises (73 percent vs 22 percent; p = 0.003), and to include pediatric decontamination procedures in disaster exercises (78 percent vs 35 percent; p = 0.008) than hospitals without a designated pediatric disaster planner.Conclusion: The majority of hospitals surveyed incorporate pediatric patients into their disaster preparedness plan. Those hospitals with an individual designated for pediatric disaster planning were more likely to specifically address the care of pediatric patients in their institutional disaster plan.

scholarly journals Major hazards and disaster response capacity of Dadeldhura district

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 201-213
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Pariyar ◽  
Basanta Kumar Neupane
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Search And Rescue ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Major Disaster ◽  
Response Capacity ◽  
Response Plan

This study endeavours to explore the major hazards and the response capacity to disaster of Dadeldhura district. It used checklist to collect information on hazard ranking and capacity assessment. Similarly, key informant interview conducted with the key portfolios and members of district disaster management committee and Nepal Red Cross Society. Likewise, one focus group discussion was conducted with the purpose to draw insights of major disaster and capacity. Moreover, a district disaster preparedness plan was reviewed to understand the context of hazard and response. The major hazards of Dadeldhura district are landslide, flood, hailstone, fire, endemic, drought, thunderbolt and earthquake. Among all hazards landslide is in the first and flood is in the second rank based on damage and loss of physical property and livelihood. According to the district disaster preparedness and response plan, 2075, nine clusters have formed and updated emergency response plan for effective action in Dadeldhura. Among the nine clusters, this study only includes the search and rescue cluster to assess disaster response capacity. It has been found that out of nine clusters, search and rescue cluster seems progressive. However, the number of search and rescue trained people need to be increased. Likewise, the facility of ambulance and fire brigades need to extend in each rural municipality. Existing ambulance also need to be repaired and maintained regularly. The existing capacity is not enough to disaster response so, new efforts need to have been updated by DPRP with new activities to enhance the capacity.

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