hospital_preparedness_survey_11-01-01

							          Hospital preparedness in the face of bioterrorism
                         November 2, 2001

                            A survey of Premier owners
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, and the more recent infiltration of
the postal system by the anthrax bacteria, the hospital community has redoubled its
efforts to improve its response to the threat of bioterrorism and mass casualty situations
in the safest and most immediate manner possible. Hospitals take their responsibility as
champions and front-line defenders of the public health with the utmost seriousness.
Hospitals have been reaching out into their communities to coordinate and mutually
reinforce the efforts of public health and law enforcement officials, emergency medical
personnel, and other first responders—not to mention those of schools, public utilities,
and civic groups—to ensure that the necessary resources are available and accessible in
the event of an attack through bioterrorism or other means.

In the past few weeks, numerous Americans have turned to their community hospitals
first and foremost when confronted by suspicious packages or concerns over possible
anthrax exposure. This is a testament to the faith communities maintain in their hospitals
as stewards of the public health.

The hospital community continues to enhance and strengthen its ability to respond to
public health threats by articulating the following priorities:

   More efficient surveillance and reporting systems for outbreaks of illness;
   Improved communication among responders, health officials, and communities;
   Intensive training for medical personnel for the handling of bioterrorist attacks and
    mass casualty situations;
   Increased hospital preparedness to accommodate patient surges and mitigate current
    health workforce shortages;
   Increased ability to address pharmaceutical needs in the event of chemical or
    biological attacks;
   Expanded laboratory capacity with greater diagnosis capabilities for a wider range of
    pathogens;
   Additional decontamination facilities and capacity;
   Reinforced security in and around hospital campuses and healthcare facilities.

In October, Premier, a strategic alliance of leading not-for-profit hospitals and health
systems, informally surveyed its members to gain a greater appreciation of the steps they
have taken to address the threat of bioterrorism, as well as any future actions they are
anticipating. Sixty-two Premier hospitals and/or health systems responded to the survey,
representing a total of 120 individual institutions or facilities.
 77 percent of respondents indicated they have an established ‘disaster’ plan that may
    be applied to chemical or biological attacks. Sixty-six percent of these plans address
    equipment and pharmaceuticals; 79 percent address communications, and 77 percent
    address staffing.
 94 percent intend to augment existing disaster plans in the next 12 months.
 58 percent have conducted a biological or chemical disaster drill.
 71 percent have provided biological and chemical crisis training for staff.
 92 percent of respondents equipped with emergency departments are implementing
    protocol and process changes to address biological and chemical threats.
 92 percent are coordinating their disaster plans with organizations, such as local
    health and law enforcement officials, and the National Guard.
 92 percent are anticipating increased expenditures on disaster preparedness in the
    next one to two years.




For more information, contact:
Matthew Williams
Federal Affairs Director
Premier, Inc.
202.879.8009