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A home health agency?s pandemic preparedness and experience with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CICemail address
,
Barbara Citarella, RN, BSN, MS, CHCE
,
Divya S. Subramaniam, MPH
,
Dipti P. Subramaniam, MPH
published online 13 June 2011.
Corrected Proof
Abstract
Full Text
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References
Background
Adequate pandemic preparedness is imperative for home health agencies.
Methods
A 23-item pandemic preparedness survey was administered to home health agencies in the spring of 2010. The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to evaluate the relationships between agency size and preparedness indicators. Significant findings were further analyzed by the Mann-Whitney (MW) U post hoc test.
Results
The response rate was 25% (526/2,119). Approximately one-third of respondents (30.4%; n = 131) reported experiencing trouble obtaining supplies during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Small agencies were significantly more likely (Krusal-Wallis [KW] = 9.2; P < .01) to report having trouble obtaining supplies than larger-sized agencies (Mann-Whitney [MW] = 14,080; P < .01). Most home health agencies (87.3%; n = 459) reported having a pandemic influenza plan. One-third (33.5%; n = 176) reported having no surge capacity; only 27.0% (n = 142) reported having at least a 20% surge capacity. The largest agencies were significantly more likely (KW = 138; P < .001) to report having at least 20% surge capacity than medium-sized agencies (MW = 7,812; P = .001) or small agencies (MW = 8,306; P < .001). Approximately 80% (n = 414) reported stockpiling personal protective equipment. Three-quarters (71.3%; n = 375) reported fit-testing staff, and half (49.2%; n = 259) reported participating in disaster drills. The majority of home health professionals (75.1%; n = 395) reported having a personal/family disaster plan in place.
Conclusion
There are gaps in US home health agency pandemic preparedness, including surge capacity and participation in disaster drills, that need to be addressed.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(11)00115-5/abstract
A home health agency?s pandemic preparedness and experience with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CICemail address
,
Barbara Citarella, RN, BSN, MS, CHCE
,
Divya S. Subramaniam, MPH
,
Dipti P. Subramaniam, MPH
published online 13 June 2011.
Corrected Proof
Abstract
Full Text
References
Background
Adequate pandemic preparedness is imperative for home health agencies.
Methods
A 23-item pandemic preparedness survey was administered to home health agencies in the spring of 2010. The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to evaluate the relationships between agency size and preparedness indicators. Significant findings were further analyzed by the Mann-Whitney (MW) U post hoc test.
Results
The response rate was 25% (526/2,119). Approximately one-third of respondents (30.4%; n = 131) reported experiencing trouble obtaining supplies during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Small agencies were significantly more likely (Krusal-Wallis [KW] = 9.2; P < .01) to report having trouble obtaining supplies than larger-sized agencies (Mann-Whitney [MW] = 14,080; P < .01). Most home health agencies (87.3%; n = 459) reported having a pandemic influenza plan. One-third (33.5%; n = 176) reported having no surge capacity; only 27.0% (n = 142) reported having at least a 20% surge capacity. The largest agencies were significantly more likely (KW = 138; P < .001) to report having at least 20% surge capacity than medium-sized agencies (MW = 7,812; P = .001) or small agencies (MW = 8,306; P < .001). Approximately 80% (n = 414) reported stockpiling personal protective equipment. Three-quarters (71.3%; n = 375) reported fit-testing staff, and half (49.2%; n = 259) reported participating in disaster drills. The majority of home health professionals (75.1%; n = 395) reported having a personal/family disaster plan in place.
Conclusion
There are gaps in US home health agency pandemic preparedness, including surge capacity and participation in disaster drills, that need to be addressed.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(11)00115-5/abstract