NCJ Number
189904
Date Published
August 2000
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This document presents recommendations and strategies for hospitals, hospital associations, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Abstract
A large number of issues and preparedness needs have been grouped into four broad categories: community-wide preparedness, staffing, communications, and public policy. A mass casualty incident is likely to impose a sustained demand for health services rather than the short, intense peak customary with many smaller scale disasters. Hospitals will be seen by the public as a vital resource for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for physical and psychological care. To increase their preparedness for mass casualties, hospitals have to expand their focus to include both internal and community-level planning. Hospital planners should consider the possibility that a hospital might need to evacuate, quarantine, or divert incoming patients. A development of “reserve staff” of physicians, nurses, and hospital workers is recommended. Backup communications systems need to be developed, tested, and drilled. Community-wide systems for locating patients need to be planned with a single point of contact. A new Federal approach is needed which expresses the congressional commitment to assist hospitals in disaster recovery. Finally, hospital preparedness can be increased more rapidly if standardized but scalable national resources for staff training, building design, and facilities operations are developed and widely disseminated. 8 appendices