Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: A 2007 survey of infection control professionals

Background

Hospital preparedness for infectious disease emergencies is imperative.

Methods

A 40-item hospital preparedness survey was administered to Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc, members. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate the relationship between hospital size and emergency preparedness in relation to various surge capacity measures. Significant findings were followed by Mann-Whitney U post hoc tests.

Results

Most hospitals have an infection control professional on their disaster committee, 24/7 infection control support, a health care worker prioritization plan for vaccine or antivirals, and nonhealth care facility surge beds but lack health care worker, laboratory, linen, and negative-pressure room surge capacity. Many hospitals participated in a disaster exercise recently and are stockpiling N95 respirators and medications. Few are stockpiling ventilators, surgical masks, or patient linens; those that are have ≤7 days worth of supplies. Less than one quarter have cross trained their staff, convened their ethics committee to discuss preparedness issues, or developed policies/procedures for altered standards of care during disasters. Approximately half of all hospitals' plans include staff work incentives. The smallest hospitals (≤99 beds) are less prepared than larger hospitals on a variety of surge capacity indicators.

Conclusion

US hospitals lack laboratory, negative-pressure room, health care worker, and medical equipment/supplies surge capacity. Hospitals must continue to address gaps in infectious disease emergency planning.