Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: A 2007 survey of infection control professionals
published online 10 December 2008.
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.
aInstitute of Biosecurity, St. Louis University, School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO
Address correspondence to Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CIC, Associate Director for Curricular Affairs, Institute of Biosecurity, Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, St. Louis University, School of Public Health, 3545 Lafayette Ave, Suite 361, St. Louis, MO 63104.
Conflicts of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
ABSTRACT