DVATEX: Navy medicine’s pioneering approach to improving hospital emergency preparedness

Mary W. Chaffee, ScD(h), MS, RN, CNAA, FAAN; Shauneen M. Miranda, RN, MS, MPA; Robert M. Padula, MHA, BS, CHE, PC; Mark R. Lauda, MS, BS; John E. Skelly, BS, EMT-P; Neill S. Oster, MD; Randall A. Bright, BS

doi:10.5055/jem.2004.0009

Authors

Mary W. Chaffee, ScD(h), MS, RN, CNAA, FAAN
Shauneen M. Miranda, RN, MS, MPA
Robert M. Padula, MHA, BS, CHE, PC
Mark R. Lauda, MS, BS
John E. Skelly, BS, EMT-P
Neill S. Oster, MD
Randall A. Bright, BS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2004.0009

Keywords:

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Abstract

The level of emergency preparedness considered adequate for hospitals prior to the events of 9/11 is no longer sufficient. To analyze and improve emergency preparedness in Navy healthcare facilities, the US Navy Medical Department has established the Disaster Preparedness, Vulnerability Analysis, Training and Exercise (DVATEX, pronounced ‘dee-va-tex’) program. The four-stage program includes a hospital or clinic self-assessment, a site visit to each Navy hospital and clinic (during which a team of emergency preparedness experts trains staff, performs a vulnerability analysis, and conducts an exercise of the facility’s emergency management plan), development of an after-action report, and ongoing support to improve preparedness (Figure 1). In its first year, the DVATEX program has been successful in identifying hospital vulnerabilities, applying remedies, and developing long-term plans to improve preparedness.

Author Biographies

Mary W. Chaffee, ScD(h), MS, RN, CNAA, FAAN

Nurse Corps, US Navy; Director of the Navy Medicine Office of Homeland Security, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC. She also serves on the Executive Board of the International Nursing Council on Mass Casualty Education.

Shauneen M. Miranda, RN, MS, MPA

Nurse Corps, US Navy; Head of the DVATEX Program, Navy Medicine Office of Homeland Security, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC.

Robert M. Padula, MHA, BS, CHE, PC

Has extensive experience as a civilian healthcare administrator and over 22 years on active duty in the US. Navy Medical Department. Most recently he served as head of hospital emergency preparedness programs in the Navy Medicine Office of Homeland Security, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC.

Mark R. Lauda, MS, BS

Medical Service Corps, US Navy; Assistant Head of the DVATEX Program, Navy Medicine Office of Homeland Security, Washington, DC.

John E. Skelly, BS, EMT-P

Chief Hospital Corpsman, Head of Anti-terrorism and Assistant Head of Hospital Emergency Preparedness, Navy Medicine Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC.

Neill S. Oster, MD

Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Methodist Hospital, New York, New York; Medical Advisor, US State Department Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program; Codeveloper, HEAT and ADAC.

Randall A. Bright, BS

Vice President, EAI, Inc., Abingdon, Maryland.

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