About Emergency Preparedness
It’s time to change the way California thinks about disaster response. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that hospitals can quickly mobilize to provide flexible approaches to patient care during a disaster. The state must draw upon these lessons to prepare differently so the next crisis will be less severe. Given California’s size and complexity, the health care disaster response system of the future must be nimble enough to respond to any catastrophe. View more information on hospital disaster preparedness.
Increasing Knowledge and Perceptions of Disaster Preparedness: A Brief Educational Intervention
2022 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles shares their review of evacuation plans, and details the critical need for health care organizations to plan for addressing evacuation, educate hospital staff on response procedures, and practice protocols through drills and exercises. The process identifies gaps in processes and staff education and helps engage stakeholders to review the organization’s plan and pilot educational interventions.
Radiation Emergencies in Hospitals
2022 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
This resource, provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides critical hospital information in the event of hospital radiation emergencies. The tool details key contacts, patient treatment job aids, training videos, and guidance for emergency management.
Virtual Tabletop Exercises: A Simultaneous Approach
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
This information details the Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management (WRAP-EM) and offers insights to the challengers, solutions, and provides materials, facilitation and environment for conducting tabletop exercise simultaneously across multiple regions, states, and coalitions.
Regional Infectious Disease Alert Strike Team
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Developed by The Permanente Medical Group and Kaiser Permanente Northern California, this educational resource aims to systematically support medical facilities in their care of a suspected or confirmed patient-under-investigation (PUI) for a highly infectious or novel pathogen. The Regional ID Alert Strike Team maintains a trained team of clinician responder-trainers with content expertise and specialized equipment available to redeploy across Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s 21 medical centers.
Using Disaster Drills to Meet the Response to the Evolution of Active Threats
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Shared by Sutter Roseville Medical Center, this resource details how active shooter/active threat drills and education have proven to be successful. Following the drills, personnel felt less distress and more comfortable with emergency responses. Preparing for these types of incidents pose challenges, but not preparing can be devastating. Active threats can involve more than just shooters with firearms– threats can include guns, knives or even explosives. Healthcare facilities must plan and prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Fire Drill Challenges in a High Rise Hospital
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Shared by Sutter Health Sacramento, this tool details how the hospital conducted a fire exercise to prepare for the potential event of a real fire in a patient care area with patient and staff involvement. The drill allowed the hospital to work with the local fire department to to test egress locations, access water, and attempt patient rescue into the fire stairways. The event was coordinated with Plant Operations to test fire alarms, doors, audible alarms, visual strobes, and other components that are designed to alert occupants of an emergency .
Engaging Offsite Clinical Partners in Hazard Vulnerability Analysis
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Developed by Stanford Health Care, this tool details how this health care system re-engaged more than 140 outpatient clinics by rounding on their disaster supplies, networking in person, and coordinating offsite sessions to complete a site-specific Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA).
Burnout in Healthcare Workers: Reverse the Crisis, Break the Stigma
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Developed by Redlands Community Hospital, this resource details symptoms of burnout and demonstrates the impacts it can have on decision-making and care quality. Addressing burnout helps improve job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and prevent compassion fatigue, fostering a supportive work culture. By prioritizing employee well-being, hospitals not only enhance patient outcomes and organizational efficiency but also create a healthier, more sustainable workforce, ultimately benefiting both healthcare providers and the people they serve.
Mass Casualty Incident Surge Tool
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
The document describes policies implemented by Pomona Valley Hospital and standardizes responses for large-scale emergencies that could overwhelm hospital resources. The program includes quarterly and annual training, focusing on rapid setup and resource allocation, with ongoing physician engagement and family reunification plans. The hospital has seen substantial improvements in activation time for emergencies, reducing setup time from over 45 minutes to just 15.
Considerations in Disaster Meal Planning
2023 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
This resource highlights considerations in planning for food and water supplies to support patients, staff, and community members during disasters. Key elements include performing a hazard vulnerability analysis, ensuring compliance with CMS requirements, establishing protocols for subsistence, and creating adaptable menus. The poster also emphasizes regulatory compliance and practical considerations, like backup power, sanitation, and the ability to prepare food without utilities.