tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Infect Control. 2011 Jun 10. [Epub ahead of print]
A home health agency's pandemic preparedness and experience with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Rebmann T, Citarella B, Subramaniam DS, Subramaniam DP.
Source
Institute of Biosecurity, School of Public Health, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
Abstract
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.
Copyright ? 2011 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
PMID:
21664724
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21664724
A home health agency's pandemic preparedness and experience with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Rebmann T, Citarella B, Subramaniam DS, Subramaniam DP.
Source
Institute of Biosecurity, School of Public Health, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
Abstract
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.
Copyright ? 2011 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
PMID:
21664724
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21664724