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Outreach to Vulnerable Patients in Emergencies

2023 Disaster Conference

The growing population of older adults in the United States with complex medical conditions are typically the most severely impacted by large-scale weather and climate disasters. A health care systems’ ability to leverage technology and optimize limited resources during an emergency is universal. Join us to learn how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) established the Vulnerable Patient Care, Access, and Response in Emergencies (VP CARE) Program to provide standardized data tools and guidance to assist medical facilities with conducting outreach and care coordination to vulnerable Veteran populations during major emergencies

Managing Pediatric Winter Viral Surges

2023 Disaster Conference

The Children’s Hospital of Orange County reviewed strategies for managing the pediatric winter viral surge, including implementing surge plans and decompression measures, to optimize patient flow. This presentation addresses best practices and lessons learned with the goal of equipping hospitals to be prepared to meet the inevitable pediatric winter viral surge.

Vulnerable Populations: Overview

Hospitals play a critical role in safeguarding the health and safety of all individuals during disaster events, particularly those from vulnerable populations. These groups—such as the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and non-English speakers—often face unique challenges during crises, making tailored disaster planning essential.

Reporting Suspicious Activities for Hospitals

The California State Threat Assessment System is an all-hazards information sharing partnership of Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies to connect suspicious activity reporting for potential terrorism or security issues. This partnership connects law enforcement through a network of interconnected Regional Threat Assessment Centers (RTACs) in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

National Terrorism Advisory System

The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) serves as a critical tool for hospitals to prepare for and respond to potential terrorist incidents, ensuring patient and staff safety. Hospitals can use this system for important updates on the threat levels, potential terrorist activities, and for staying informed about evolving threats. Hospitals should also integrate NTAS alerts into their emergency planning and response strategies.

Federal Public Health Emergency Laws: Implications for Health Care Providers

This tool serves as a guide for understanding the legal context of public health emergency management on health care providers. It outlines the implications for and health care providers, covering key legal frameworks, including the Public Health Service Act and the Stafford Act, emphasizing their role in facilitating emergency responses during health crises. The tool also discusses the powers granted to federal and state authorities, coordination among agencies, and the importance of maintaining public safety and health during emergencies.

Preparing Hospitals for the Psychological Consequences of a Terrorist Incident

This tool is designed to address these challenges by providing a curriculum that can be used to train hospital personnel on how to prepare for and respond to the psychological consequences of large-scale disasters. The training has three modules that are intended to be used either as standalone training or in combination depending on the facility and audience needs:

Hospital Bomb Threat Self-Assessment Tool

This self-assessment tool assists hospitals in evaluating their preparedness for bomb threats. It outlines key assessment areas, including policies, staff training, communication protocols, and emergency response plans.

Earthquake Country Alliance

The Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) is a public-private-grassroots partnership of organizations, working together to improve earthquake and tsunami preparedness, mitigation, and resiliency.