Key results of the CDC Report Hospital Preparedness for Emergency Response

March 24, 2011

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• Nearly all hospitals had response plans for chemical releases, natural disasters, epidemics, and biological incidents. Preparedness for explosive or incendiary incidents was less frequent than preparedness for other types of incidents.
• While most hospitals had plans for cancellation of elective procedures and admissions, two-thirds had plans for alternate care areas with beds, staffing, and equipment.
• One-half of hospitals planned for alternate care areas in inpatient hallways or decommissioned ward space, or for conversion of inpatient units to augment intensive care.
• One-half of hospitals had adjusted standards of care for allocation of mechanical ventilators for mass casualties.
• Although over one-half of hospitals had staged epidemic drills, only one-third included mass vaccination or medication distribution.
• One-half of hospitals planned for advance registration of health care professionals.
• While most hospitals had memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with other hospitals to transfer adults during an epidemic, fewer hospitals had MOUs for pediatrics and burns. Less than one-half of hospitals accommodated the needs of children and persons with disabilities during a public health emergency.