Pandemic planning is crucial to maintain effective hospital operations — from reducing disease transmission among health care workers to cross-training staff, preparation is essential to maintaining critical operations when key personnel are unavailable. Federal agencies have provided guidance for hospitals to prepare for and respond to pandemics; this paper offers actionable steps, templates, and model policies for health care leaders to ensure the safety of their workforce and the continuity of care during health crises.
To help members plan for and respond to the financial impacts impacts of disasters, the California Hospital Association has prepared this guide outlining considerations for hospitals as they develop a financial preparedness and response plan.
2024 Disaster Conference
Presented by Mass General Brigham’s Department of Emergency Preparedness and Continuity (DEPC), this session outlines development of a health care-centric sustainable and effective continuity program. DEPC developed tools and adapted traditional practices to focus on capability building and maintaining mission essential functions.
2020 Virtual Disaster Conference
Hospitals have multiple federal funding opportunities when protecting life and safety in their communities. This session provides information on coverage, needed documentation, reimbursement timelines, and which funding source(s) to pursue.
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.
2023 Disaster Conference
Sutter Health’s presentation shares a general framework to support facilities in submitting disaster claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Grant Program.
2022 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Kaiser Permanente Northern California offers information and strategies for protecting hospital staff, patients, and visitors when air quality is poor due to wildfire smoke. This resource provides engineering and administrative controls, and recommends protective equipment usage during fires and disasters where air quality may impact the hospital.
2022 Disaster Conference – Best Practice Showcase
Shared by Stanford Health Care, this tool demonstrates how hospitals and health systems can deploy their Incident Management Team and Command Center virtually. The resource offers helpful information on weighing pros/cons, examines application scenarios, and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with virtual/hybrid emergency response.
This presentation from Barton Health provides insights on response and business continuity plans in the event of a wildfire evacuation. Presenters share lessons learned from the full-scale evacuation of Barton Memorial Hospital and skilled-nursing facility in response to the Caldor Fire. The presentation reviews the logistical challenges of evacuating and repopulating a bi-state rural health care system, explore staffing and personnel challenges and considerations, and shares lessons learned.