Healthcare System Preparedness

Healthcare system preparedness ensures that there is capacity and capability for provision of critical public health and medical services in order to reduce the potential for adverse health outcomes during an event.

Disaster Behavioral Health
Preparedness Library and Links
Special Needs Sheltering
Preparedness Training and Exercise
Vulnerable Populations

Resources

• AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) Hospital Preparedness Exercises Resources—Three resources created by HHS for hospitals to use for planning emergency response exercises. The tools and best practices can assist hospital preparedness coordinators develop, conduct, and evaluate emergency exercises.
• American Red Cross
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)—Hospitals, Treatment Centers, and Public Health: Partners in Emergency Planning and Response
• Emergency Management Resources–FACHC
• Fatality Management
• FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness
• FL Health Alert Network
• Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC)
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Florida Health Care Association Emergency Preparedness
• Florida Health Care Coalitions
• Florida Hospital Association
• Florida Poison Information Center Network
• Health Alert Network (CDC)
• HHS (Health and Human Services), (ASTDR) (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) HazMat Emergency Preparedness Training and Tools for Responders
• HSEEP Exercise and Evaluation Program
• Long Term, Acute, and Chronic Care Preparedness
• NACCHO
• NIMS Implementation Guidance for the National Hospital Preparedness Program FY12
• Project Public Health Ready
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)—Another example of training for hospitals on the HSEEP program.

This section provides links to organizations and agencies who provide preparedness and response trainings and exercises.  The Exercise Resources provides links to information related to the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).  Information includes tools and resources to meet Homeland Security exercise requirements.

Training Resources

• AHA (American Hospital Association) organizational training resources
• AHA (American Hospital Association) emergency readiness resources
• Building Collaborative Disaster Planning Processes Between Hospitals and Emergency Management—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and FEMA offer free online training on the development and maintenance of integrative disaster plans. Training includes information that might be helpful for new hospital emergency preparedness coordinators
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)—Hospitals, Treatment Centers, and Public Health: Partners in Emergency Planning and Response
• FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Center for Domestic Preparedness Training Course Listing for Health Care
• HHS (Health and Human Services), (ASTDR) (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) HazMat Emergency Preparedness Training and Tools for Responders
• NIMS Implementation Guidance for the National Hospital Preparedness Program FY12

• AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) Hospital Preparedness Exercises Resources—Three resources created by HHS for hospitals to use for planning emergency response exercises. The tools and best practices can assist hospital preparedness coordinators develop, conduct, and evaluate emergency exercises
• HSEEP Exercise and Evaluation Program
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)—Another example of training for hospitals on the HSEEP program

Health Preparedness Partners

This section provides links to organizations and agencies who provide preparedness and response information.

State

• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Hospital Information
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Florida Health Care Association (Long Term Care Providers)
• Florida Hospital Association (FHA)
• Florida Hospitals and Medical Centers Listings—The Agape Center

Federal

• Agency for Health Care Research & Quality (AHRQ)—on the homepage, do a keyword search for "disaster" to find preparedness resources
• American Health Care Association Emergency Preparedness
• American Hospital Association (AHA)—a keyword search for "preparedness" will bring up several useful articles and tools
• American Hospital Association—Emergency Readiness
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Preparedness Resources for Hospitals
• Centers for Disease Control Sample Mutual Aid Agreement
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness
• Health and Human Services (HHS) Hospital Preparedness Program
• Medical Reserve Corps
• National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)—Public Health Preparedness Publications

Reports and Publications

2011 Recommended Disaster Core Competencies for Hospital Personnel—This update to the 2006 version reflects the latest in federal and state guidance. The document is designed to assist hospitals with planning for response to all hazards. It contains tools and tips for determining job specific competencies and training personnel for response. The document is formatted for double-sided printing.

• An accompanying PowerPoint presentation—Text Equivalent provides an overview of the recommended competencies and how hospitals can use the information for planning and training. The PowerPoint can also be used to introduce hospital staff to core competencies and performance expectations.

Report on DOH Funded Hospital Disaster Exercises—2002-2010

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF).  The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.