Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Preparedness
Kinds of Preparedness Terms modified by Preparedness Selected AbstractsDISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND HUMANITARIAN AID , THE MEDICAL RESPONSE TO THE INDIAN OCEAN DISASTER: LESSONS LEARNT, RECOMMENDATIONS AND RACS ACTIONSANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 1-2 2006Bruce P. Waxman FRACS No abstract is available for this article. [source] The Science of Surge: An All-hazard Approach Is Critical to Improving Public Health PreparednessACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Richard H. Carmona MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] The Measurement of Daily Surge and Its Relevance to Disaster PreparednessACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Melissa L. McCarthy MS This article reviews what is known about daily emergency department (ED) surge and ED surge capacity and illustrates its potential relevance during a catastrophic event. Daily ED surge is a sudden increase in the demand for ED services. There is no well-accepted, objective measure of daily ED surge. The authors propose that daily and catastrophic ED surge can be measured by the magnitude of the surge, as well as by the nature and severity of the illnesses and injuries that patients present with during the surge. The magnitude of an ED surge can be measured by the patient arrival rate per hour. The nature and severity of the surge can be measured by the type (e.g., trauma vs. infection vs. biohazard) and acuity (e.g., triage level) of the surge. Surge capacity is defined as the extent to which a system can respond to a rapid and sizeable increase in the demand for resources. ED surge capacity includes multiple dimensions, such as systems, space, staffing, and supplies. A multidimensional measure is needed that reflects both the core components and their relative contribution to ED surge capacity. Although many types of factors may influence ED surge capacity, relatively little formal research has been conducted in this area. A better understanding of daily ED surge capacity and influencing factors will improve our ability to simulate the potential impact that different types of catastrophic events may have on the surge capacity of hospital EDs nationwide. [source] Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Los Angeles CountyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Amy H. Kaji MD Background There are no standardized measures of hospital disaster preparedness or hospital "surge capacity." Objectives To characterize disaster preparedness among a cohort of hospitals in Los Angeles County, focusing on practice variation, plan characteristics, and surge capacity. Methods This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey study, followed by on-site verification. Forty-five 9-1-1 receiving hospitals in Los Angeles County, CA, participated. Evaluations of hospital disaster plan structure, vendor agreements, modes of communication, medical and surgical supplies, involvement of law enforcement, mutual aid agreements with other facilities, drills and training, surge capacity (assessed by monthly emergency department diversion status, available beds, ventilators, and isolation rooms), decontamination capability, and pharmaceutical stockpiles were assessed by survey. Results Forty-three of 45 hospital plans (96%) were based on the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System, and the majority had protocols for hospital lockdown (100%), canceling elective surgeries (93%), early discharge (98%), day care for children of staff (88%), designating victim overflow areas (96%), and predisaster "preferred" vendor agreements (96%). All had emergency medical services,compatible radios and more than three days' worth of supplies. Fewer hospitals involved law enforcement (56%) or had mutual aid agreements with other hospitals (20%) or long-term care facilities (7%). Although the vast majority (96%) conducted multiagency drills, only 16% actually involved other agencies in their disaster training. Only 13 of 45 hospitals (29%) had a surge capacity of greater than 20 beds. Less than half (42%) had ten or more isolation rooms, and 27 hospitals (60%) were on diversion greater than 20% of the time. Thirteen hospitals (29%) had immediate access to six or more ventilators. Less than half had warm-water decontamination (42%), while approximately one half (51%) had a chemical antidote stockpile and 42% had an antibiotic stockpile. Conclusions Among hospitals in Los Angeles County, disaster preparedness and surge capacity appear to be limited by a failure to fully integrate interagency training and planning and a severely limited surge capacity, although there is a generally high level of availability of equipment and supplies. [source] Physicians' Preparedness for Bioterrorism and Other Public Health PrioritiesACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006G. Caleb Alexander MD Objectives Potential bioterrorism challenges policy makers to balance competing public health priorities. Earlier surveys showed low physician bioterrorism preparedness but did not assess physicians' general public health preparedness, compare the preparedness of emergency and primary care physicians, or assess temporal trends. Methods This was a national, cross-sectional, random-sample survey conducted in 2003. Results Overall, 744 of 1,200 eligible physicians responded (response rate, 62%). Of these, 58% of emergency physician respondents and 48% of primary care physician respondents reported having learned a lot about responding to bioterror since September 11, 2001 (p < 0.01). However, only 43% of emergency physicians and 21% of primary care physicians agreed they are generally "well prepared to play a role in responding to a bioterror attack" (p < 0.001). Beliefs about balancing public health priorities were similar among emergency and primary care respondents. Seventy-eight percent of respondents believed that local health care systems need to be prepared for bioterrorism, and 92% believed that local health care systems need to be prepared for natural epidemics. By contrast, only 23% and 46% of respondents reported that their local health care systems are well prepared for bioterrorism and natural epidemics, respectively. Meanwhile, 77% agreed that "influenza is a greater threat to public health than bioterrorism," and 21% reported that bioterrorism preparedness efforts are diverting resources from more important public health problems. Conclusions In 2003, most emergency and primary care physicians reported that they and their local health care systems were not yet well prepared to respond to a bioterror attack, and many believed that more resources should go toward preparing for natural epidemics. These findings highlight the importance of expanding bioterrorism preparedness efforts to improve the public health system more broadly. [source] Disaster mental health training programmes in New York City following September 11, 2001DISASTERS, Issue 3 2010Kimberly B. Gill The need for mental health resources to provide care to the community following large-scale disasters is well documented. In the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, many local agencies and organizations responded by providing informal mental health services, including disaster mental health training for practitioners. The quality of these programmes has not been assessed, however. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's School of Public Health reviewed disaster mental health training programmes administered by community-based organizations, professional associations, hospitals, and government agencies after September 11. Results indicate that the quality and the effectiveness of programmes are difficult to assess. A wide range of curricula and a widespread lack of recordkeeping and credentialing of trainers were noted. Most of the training programmes provided are no longer available. Recommendations for improving the quality of disaster mental health training programmes are provided. [source] Preparedness for anthrax attack: the effect of knowledge on the willingness to treat patientsDISASTERS, Issue 3 2010Ariel Rokach Little is known about the factors that may impact on the willingness of physicians and nurses to treat patients during a bioterrorism attack. This survey was conducted among 76 randomly selected nurses and physicians in the emergency rooms of three public hospitals in order to analyse the relationship between knowledge, profession and the willingness to treat anthrax. The study finds that the willingness of physicians and nurses to come to work is 50% greater among the group with the highest knowledge about anthrax (P < 0.0001). Within that group, the willingness to treat patients suspected of being infected with anthrax was 37% greater (P < 0.0001) and the willingness to treat patients diagnosed with anthrax was 28% greater (P = 0.004) than in the other groups. These results imply that enhancement of knowledge among health care workers may improve their willingness to come to work and treat patients infected with anthrax during a bioterrorism attack. [source] Protecting cultural assets from bushfires: a question of comprehensive planningDISASTERS, Issue 1 2008Prue Laidlaw Cultural heritage sites form an unrenewable asset that is threatened by natural disasters. Given the high bushfire risk, mandatory Bush Fire Risk Management Plans have been drawn up throughout New South Wales, Australia. We compared their mandatory provisions for the protection of heritage assets with an,Ideal Heritage Disaster Plan', containing a series of non-negotiable elements. The examined plans fell well short of the ideal. Preparedness Plans generally lacked a discussion of suppression techniques (for historic heritage), prevention, prescribed drills and communication procedures. None of the Response Plans or Recovery Plans contained any of the required core elements, such as rapid suppression techniques and stabilisation procedures. Where aspects were covered, they were addressed in an inadequate level of detail. The overall quality of the cultural heritage components of the plans is judged to be poor. Suggestions are made on how to improve the situation if heritage assets are to have a future following bushfire events. [source] ,We All Knew that a Cyclone Was Coming': Disaster Preparedness and the Cyclone of 1999 in Orissa, IndiaDISASTERS, Issue 4 2004Frank Thomalla Imagine that a cyclone is coming, but that those living in the affected areas do nothing or too little to protect themselves. This is precisely what happened in the coastal state of Orissa, India. Individuals and communities living in regions where natural hazards are a part of daily life develop strategies to cope with and adapt to the impacts of extreme events. In October 1999, a cyclone killed 10,000 people according to government statistics, however, the unofficial death toll is much higher. This article examines why such a large loss of life occurred and looks at measures taken since then to initiate comprehensive disaster-preparedness programmes and to construct more cyclone shelters. The role of both governmental organisations and NGOs in this is critically analysed. The good news is that, based on an assessment of disaster preparedness during a small cyclone in November 2002, it can be seen that at community-level awareness was high and that many of the lessons learnt in 1999 were put into practice. Less positive, however, is the finding that at the state level collaboration continues to be problematic. [source] Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness: The Case of NGOs in the PhilippinesDISASTERS, Issue 3 2001Emmanuel M. Luna The Philippines is very vulnerable to natural disasters because of its natural setting, as well as its socio-economic, political and environmental context - especially its widespread poverty. The Philippines has a well-established institutional and legal framework for disaster management, including built-in mechanisms for participation of the people and NGOs in decision-making and programme implementation. The nature and extent of collaboration with government in disaster preparedness and mitigation issues varies greatly according to their roots, either in past confrontation and political struggles or traditional charity activities. The growing NGO involvement in disaster management has been influenced by this history. Some agencies work well with local government and there is an increasing trend for collaborative work in disaster mitigation and preparedness. Some NGOs, however, retain critical positions. These organisations tend to engage more in advocacy and legal support for communities facing increased risk because of development projects and environmental destruction. Entry points into disaster mitigation and preparedness vary as well. Development-oriented agencies are drawn into these issues when the community members with whom they work face disaster. Relief organisations, too, realise the need for community mobilisation, and are thus drawn towards development roles. [source] Survey of Emergency Medicine Resident Debt Status and Financial Planning PreparednessACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2005Jeffrey N. Glaspy MD Objectives: Most resident physicians accrue significant financial debt throughout their medical and graduate medical education. The objective of this study was to analyze emergency medicine resident debt status, financial planning actions, and educational experiences for financial planning and debt management. Methods: A 22-item questionnaire was sent to all 123 Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education,accredited emergency medicine residency programs in July 2001. Two follow-up mailings were made to increase the response rate. The survey addressed four areas of resident debt and financial planning: 1) accrued debt, 2) moonlighting activity, 3) financial planning/debt management education, and 4) financial planning actions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Survey responses were obtained from 67.4% (1,707/2,532) of emergency medicine residents in 89 of 123 (72.4%) residency programs. Nearly one half (768/1,707) of respondents have accrued more than $100,000 of debt. Fifty-eight percent (990/1,707) of all residents reported that moonlighting would be necessary to meet their financial needs, and more than 33% (640/1,707) presently moonlight to supplement their income. Nearly one half (832/1,707) of residents actively invested money, of which online trading was the most common method (23.3%). Most residents reported that they received no debt management education during residency (82.1%) or medical school (63.7%). Furthermore, 79.1% (1,351/1,707) of residents reported that they received no financial planning lectures during residency, although 84.2% (1,438/1,707) reported that debt management and financial planning education should be available during residency. Conclusions: Most emergency medicine residency programs do not provide their residents with financial planning education. Most residents have accrued significant debt and believe that more financial planning and debt management education is needed during residency. [source] Severe Deep Moist Convective Storms: Forecasting and MitigationGEOGRAPHY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2008David L. Arnold Small-scale (2,20 km) circulations, termed ,severe deep moist convective storms', account for a disproportionate share of the world's insured weather-related losses. Spatial frequency maximums of severe convective events occur in South Africa, India, Mexico, the Caucasus, and Great Plains/Prairies region of North America, where the maximum tornado frequency occurs east of the Rocky Mountains. Interest in forecasting severe deep moist convective systems, especially those that produce tornadoes, dates to 1884 when tornado alerts were first provided in the central United States. Modern thunderstorm and tornado forecasting relies on technology and theory, but in the post-World War II era interest in forecasting has also been driven by public pressure. The forecasting process begins with a diagnostic analysis, in which the forecaster considers the potential of the atmospheric environment to produce severe convective storms (which requires knowledge of the evolving kinematic and thermodynamic fields, and the character of the land surface over which the storms will pass), and the likely character of the storms that may develop. Improvements in forecasting will likely depend on technological advancements, such as the development of phased-array radar systems and finer resolution numerical weather prediction models. Once initiated, the evolution of deep convective storms is monitored by satellite and radar. Mitigation of the hazards posed by severe deep moist convective storms is a three-step process, involving preparedness, response, and recovery. Preparedness implies that risks have been identified and organizations and individuals are familiar with a response plan. Response necessitates that potential events are identified before they occur and the developing threat is communicated to the public. Recovery is a function of the awareness of local, regional, and even national governments to the character and magnitude of potential events in specific locations, and whether or not long-term operational plans are in place at the time of disasters. [source] Public Health Emergency Preparedness at the Local Level: Results of a National SurveyHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5p2 2009Elena Savoia Objective. To study the relationship between elements of public health infrastructure and local public health emergency preparedness (PHEP). Data Sources/Study Setting. National Association of County and City Health Officials 2005 National Profile of Local Health Departments (LHDs). Study Design. Cross-sectional. Principal Findings. LHDs serving larger populations are more likely to have staff, capacities, and activities in place for an emergency. Adjusting for population size, the presence of a local board of health and the LHDs' experience in organizing PHEP coalitions were associated with better outcomes. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that more research should be conducted to investigate the benefit of merging small health departments into coalitions to overcome the inverse relationship between preparedness and population size of the jurisdiction served by the LHD. [source] Assessing Emergency Preparedness of Families Caring for Young Children With Diabetes and Other Chronic IllnessesJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2006Lynda G. Stallwood PURPOSE.,To help children with chronic illnesses and their caregivers assess emergency preparedness. CONCLUSIONS.,Little work has been done to ascertain patient adherence levels to these recommendations. Additionally, little is known about the seeking patterns of healthcare providers and/or changes in interventions based on certain elements of emergency preparedness, such as the presence of medical alert identification and an emergency kit. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,,Healthcare providers must discover their patients' level of emergency preparedness and facilitate the acquisition and implementation of elements of emergency preparedness that meet their patients' needs. [source] Personal Responsibility for Tornado Preparedness: Commitment or Choice?,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 8 2001JOHN-PAUL MULILIS A review of the literature reveals that personal responsibility assumed for one's behavior clearly affects behavioral outcomes for a variety of situations, and that personal responsibility is in turn affected by a wide variety of variables. However, limited research has been conducted to determine exactly what personal responsibility fundamentally entails. While duty, moral obligation, choice, and commitment have been suggested as being integral to the concept of responsibility, few investigations have systematically varied more than one of these variables in a single experiment. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of both choice and commitment on personal responsibility assumed for and behavioral intentions to engage in tornado preparedness. Results indicate that both choice and commitment were required to generate personal responsibility for and subsequent intentions to engage in tornado preparedness. Implications of these results are discussed. [source] Africa: Disaster Preparedness "Woefully Inadequate"AFRICA RESEARCH BULLETIN: ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERIES, Issue 4 2009Article first published online: 4 JUN 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Disaster and Preparedness: Lessons from Hurricane RitaJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008Bradley W. Mayer This paper investigates the lessons learned and preparedness behaviours of businesses in the southeast Texas region affected by Hurricane Rita. The data were collected through an e-mail survey sent to businesses in the southeast Texas region affected by Hurricane Rita. Findings from the study indicate that the majority of businesses took only ,few' or ,some' preparedness measures before the hurricane. However, those businesses that experienced impacts and losses due to Hurricane Rita report that they are now taking greater preparedness measures. This study identifies specific areas that should be addressed in a disaster preparedness plan based on information gathered from organizations that went through a major disaster first-hand. [source] From the Politics of Urgency to the Governance of Preparedness: A Research Agenda on Urban VulnerabilityJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2005Will Medd To date, little social science understanding has been developed about what it would mean to strategically build resilience in the context of such rich interdependencies between social, technical and natural worlds. We argue that shifts in strategies to deal with urban crises marks a turn from the politics of urgency, characteristic of crisis management, towards a governance of preparedness, characterised by strategies to build urban resilience. Social science needs to develop research agendas that critically engage with different understandings of resilience and the challenges of building resilience across different scales of urban governance. [source] Painful Steps of Progress from Crisis Planning to Contingency Planning: Changes for Disaster Preparedness in TurkeyJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Murat Balamir Excessive losses in natural disasters in Turkey are, to a large extent, a consequence of omissions and deficiencies in the structuring of ,disasters' and ,development' laws, as well as negligent land-use practices and avoidance of control in building processes. Two extreme forms of legal and organizational structures in disasters policy could be formulated as the ,fatalist' and ,self-reliance, models. Their contrasts can be investigated in terms of (a) the use of information concerning natural phenomena in formal planning procedures; (b) pre- or post-disaster emphasis in preparations; (c) the political or technical basis of decisions; (d) the extraordinary or routine nature of responses; (e) the general or specialized nature of financial sources used; (f) and their compatibility with the order of priorities in risk management. An evaluation of the conventional policy in Turkey clarifies a position closer to the ,fatalist' model and indicates the lines of action for improvements. However, after the 1999 earthquakes, the conventional approach in disaster policy has been restructured. With the newly introduced ,Obligatory Building Insurance', ,Building Control', and ,Professional Proficiency' systems, greater emphasis is now given to mitigation efforts, and the introduction of contingency planning practices is more likely to happen. [source] Drought Preparedness and Response in the Context of Sub-Saharan AfricaJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2000Donald A. Wilhite Although drought is a normal, recurring feature of climate, little progress has been made in drought management in most parts of the world. A United Nations study of selected Sub-Saharan African countries revealed that most states have little experience in proactive planning for drought. Only Botswana and South Africa have made serious efforts to develop drought preparedness and response. The lack of contingency planning for drought events in the region results from limited financial resources, inadequate understanding of drought impacts, and poor co-ordination among government agencies. A ten-step planning process, originally developed in 1991 for U.S. states, is suggested as an organizational tool for Sub-Saharan countries to use in the development of drought plans. The process, which emphasizes risk management rather than crisis management, is based on three primary components: (1) monitoring and early warning, (2) vulnerability and impact assessment, (3) mitigation and response. The steps in the process are generic; they can be adapted and applied to the various settings of Sub-Saharan Africa. [source] Preparedness for Influenza Pandemic in Hong Kong Nursing UnitsJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 4 2006Agnes Tiwari Background: To present preparedness planning for an influenza pandemic for two nursing subunits: nursing services in hospitals and schools of nursing in universities. Discussion: The preparedness plan is modeled on a modified Haddon matrix, a logical approach to identify measures appropriate for the pre-event, event, and postevent phases of an influenza pandemic. For the pre-event phase, the objective is to ensure preparedness for the potential pandemic outbreak through training, communication, surveillance, infection control, and vaccination. Once the pandemic outbreak is declared, the aim is to implement effective measures to ensure a rapid and appropriate response. For the postevent phase, the plan is focused on the restoration of core functions, vigilance for a second or possibly more waves of the pandemic, and psychosocial support to staff and students. Conclusion: Measures required to prepare for, respond to, and manage the consequences of influenza pandemic are identified. This planning indicates the need to balance a logical approach with contextual perspectives and the importance for nursing leaders to develop plans for subunits of larger entities. [source] Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Core Competency Set for Perinatal and Neonatal NursesJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 4 2010Anne M. Jorgensen ABSTRACT A nationally derived consensus-based core competency set provides perinatal and neonatal nurses a template to guide emergency preparedness and disaster response educational and training activities. Moreover, this consensus-based core competency set allows for the identification and incorporation of measurable objectives that address the learning needs of nurses as well as the unique needs of pregnant women, new mothers, and infants during public health emergencies and disaster events. [source] A pre-event configuration for biological threats: Preparedness and the constitution of biosecurity eventsAMERICAN ETHNOLOGIST, Issue 3 2009LIMOR SAMIMIAN-DARASH ABSTRACT Drawing on an inquiry into Israel's preparedness for biological threats, in this article I suggest a new analysis of biosecurity events. A complex and dynamic assemblage emerges to prepare for biological threats, one that I call a "pre-event configuration." The assemblage is composed of three core elements,the scientific element, the security element, and the public health element,each of which diagnoses threats and suggests appropriate solutions. This configuration also determines what will be perceived as an event for which preparation is needed and what will remain a nonevent. I maintain that the constitution of an event takes place beyond the actual time of its occurrence and is determined by the pre-event configuration in the "time of event." Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of events should combine an examination of actual events and their aftermath with an inquiry into their potentialities as determined by the pre-event configuration. [biosecurity, preparedness, events, disasters] [source] Financing Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: Use of Interlocal Cost-SharingPUBLIC BUDGETING AND FINANCE, Issue 2 2008SUSAN A. MACMANUS Before this study, much of the research on interlocal collaboration has focused broadly on interlocal service agreements, of which interlocal cost-sharing is but one dimension. This study is one of the first to examine the nature of interlocal cost-sharing agreements for a specific (and critically important) functional area. A mail survey of Florida city and county finance officers finds that the most common interlocal cost-sharing partnership is between local general purpose governments rather than with local special purpose governments. The strongest incentives for interlocal cost-sharing are (1) inadequate funding for emergency management in a jurisdiction's capital budget, (2) the perceived inadequacy of federal and/or state homeland security funding, and (3) greater faith in horizontal (local-to-local) than vertical (federal-state-local) intergovernmental agreements. The research also highlights the importance of asking fiscal condition survey questions in a more functionally specific manner rather than as an "overall fiscal condition" question. [source] Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and ControlTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2009FOREWORD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and Control: The Public Health Framework for ActionTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2009William H. Dietz First page of article [source] Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and Control: A Framework for ActionTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2009Judith A. Monroe First page of article [source] Improving Competencies for Public Health Emergency Legal PreparednessTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2008Kristine M. Gebbie First page of article [source] Improving Cross-sectoral and Cross-jurisdictional Coordination for Public Health Emergency Legal PreparednessTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2008Cheryl H. Bullard First page of article [source] Public Health Legal Preparedness for the 21st CenturyTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2 2002Anthony D. Moulton No abstract is available for this article. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||