Hospital preparedness in Nebraska: A pandemic influenza survey

Authors

  • Matthew Smith, BA
  • Philip W. Smith, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2009.0042

Keywords:

hospital, preparedness, pandemic influenza

Abstract

Because hospital response to pandemic influenza is a critical component of preparedness, the authors performed a survey of hospitals in Nebraska to assess pandemic influenza preparedness. An anonymous 15- question survey was sent electronically to all 85 hospitals in Nebraska in November 2008 and 48 hospitals (56.5 percent) responded. A large majority of Nebraska hospitals have a pandemic influenza plan (n  = 41/48, 85.4 percent), and have begun stockpiling materials (n  = 44/47, 93.6 percent). Most have established contact with local public health (n  = 42/47, 89.4 percent), and in fact reported that their communication with public health has improved as a result of pandemic influenza planning (n  = 39/46, 84.8 percent). This survey illuminates current progress and areas for potential improvement in pandemic influenza planning by Nebraska hospitals.

Author Biographies

Matthew Smith, BA

Center for Biopreparedness Education, Omaha, Nebraska.

Philip W. Smith, MD

University of Nebraska College of Public Health, Omaha, Nebraska.

References

United States Department of Health and Human Services: HHS pandemic influenza plan supplement 3 healthcare planning. Available at www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/sup3.html. Accessed January 15, 2009.

Toner E,Waldhorn R: What hospitals should do to prepare for an influenza pandemic. Biosecur Bioterror. 2006; 4(4): 397-402.

American College of Physicians: The health care response to pandemic influenza. Ann Intern Med. 2006; 145(2): 135-137.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hospital pandemic influenza planning checklist. Available at www. pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/hospitalchecklist.html. Accessed January 15, 2009.

Cinti S, Chenoweth C, Monto AS: Preparing for pandemic influenza: Should hospitals stockpile oseltamivir? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2005; 26(11): 852-854.

Smith PW, Shostrom V, Smith A, et al.: Preparedness for pandemic influenza in nursing homes: A 2-state survey. JAMA. 2008; 300(4): 392-394.

Kaji AH, Koenig KL, Lewis RJ: Current hospital disaster preparedness. JAMA. 2007; 298(18): 2188-2190.

Monto AS, Whitley RJ. Seasonal and pandemic influenza: At the crossroads...a global opportunity. SHEA/IDSA Monograph, 2006.

Lam C,Waldhorn R,Toner E, et al.: The prospect of using alternative medical care facilities in an influenza pandemic. Biosecur Bioterror. 2006; 4(4): 384-390.

Kaji AH, Lewis RJ: Hospital disaster preparedness in Los Angeles County. Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13(11): 1198-1203.

Rebmann T,Wilson R, LaPointe S, et al.: Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: A 2007 survey of infection control professionals. Am J Infect Control. 2009; 37(1): 1-8.

Downloads

Published

09/01/2009

How to Cite

Smith, BA, M., and P. W. Smith, MD. “Hospital Preparedness in Nebraska: A Pandemic Influenza Survey”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 4, no. 5, Sept. 2009, pp. 299-02, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2009.0042.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)