Comparison of disaster preparedness between Upstate and Downstate community hospitals in New York

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 365
Author(s):  
Dan J. Vick, MD, MBA, DHA ◽  
Asa B. Wilson, PhD, DHA ◽  
Michael Fisher, DBA ◽  
Carrie Roseamelia, PhD

Objective: This study sought to determine whether differences exist in disaster preparedness between Upstate and Downstate community hospitals in New York.Design: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey study was conducted using a 35-element questionnaire. These questions examined six disaster preparedness components: disaster plan development, onsite surge capacity, available materials and resources, disaster education and training, disaster preparedness funding levels, and perception of disaster preparedness.Setting: The population surveyed included community hospitals across New York.Subjects: Invitations to participate in the survey were emailed to the CEOs and disaster preparedness coordinators at 207 of the 208 community hospitals in New York. Eighty hospitals completed surveys, including 41 Upstate hospitals and 39 Downstate facilities. Main outcome measures: Responses to questions pertaining to the six disaster preparedness elements. Results: There were differences in disaster preparedness between Upstate and Downstate hospitals with respect to disaster plan development, available materials and resources, and disaster education and training. No differences were identified in onsite surge capacity, disaster preparedness funding levels, or perception of disaster preparedness.Conclusions: The results demonstrate the current condition of disaster preparedness in Upstate and Downstate community hospitals in New York. Differences in preparedness between hospitals in the two locations may reflect factors such as availability of resources and differing priorities with regard to threat levels. They also suggest opportunities for improvement in disaster preparedness, which may require additional government resources and advocacy organization efforts.

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 424-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan J. Vick ◽  
Asa B. Wilson ◽  
Michael Fisher ◽  
Carrie Roseamelia

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe intent of this study was to determine whether there are differences in disaster preparedness between urban and rural community hospitals across New York State.MethodsDescriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey study of 207 community hospitals; thirty-five questions evaluated 6 disaster preparedness elements: disaster plan development, on-site surge capacity, available materials and resources, disaster education and training, disaster preparedness funding levels, and perception of disaster preparedness.ResultsCompleted surveys were received from 48 urban hospitals and 32 rural hospitals.There were differences in disaster preparedness between urban and rural hospitals with respect to disaster plan development, on-site surge capacity, available materials and resources, disaster education and training, and perception of disaster preparedness. No difference was identified between these hospitals with respect to disaster preparedness funding levels.ConclusionsThe results of this study provide an assessment of the current state of disaster preparedness in urban and rural community hospitals in New York. Differences in preparedness between the two settings may reflect differing priorities with respect to perceived threats, as well as opportunities for improvement that may require additional advocacy and legislation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:424-428)


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan J. Vick, MD, MBA, DHA ◽  
Asa B. Wilson, PhD, DHA ◽  
Michael Fisher, DBA ◽  
Carrie Roseamelia, PhD

Objective: The intent of this study was to assess disaster preparedness in community hospitals across New York.Design: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey study. The survey instrument consisted of 35 questions that examined six elements of disaster preparedness: disaster plan development, onsite surge capacity, available materials and resources, disaster education and training, disaster preparedness funding levels, and perception of disaster preparedness. Setting: Community hospitals in New York.Subjects: Contact information was obtained for 207 of 208 community hospitals. Email invitations to participate in the survey were sent to hospital CEOs and disaster preparedness coordinators. Completed surveys were received from 80 hospitals.Main Outcome Measures: Hospital responses to questions related to the six elements of disaster preparedness.Results: Most (87.5 percent) hospitals had experienced a disaster event during the past 5 years (2012-2016). Eighty percent had disaster plans that addressed all of six major types of disasters. Only 17.5 percent believed their disaster plans were “very sufficient” and did not require any revisions. Nearly three-quarters (73.3 percent) of hospitals could continue operations for less than a week without external resources. Less than half (49.4 percent) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the level of funding that they received from the Hospital Preparedness Program. Most (88.8 percent) respondents felt that barriers to disaster preparedness exist for their organizations. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the current level of disaster preparedness among New York hospitals. The study’s approach is discussed as a model that will enable hospitals to identify focus areas for improvement and opportunities for legislation and advocacy.


Author(s):  
Charlotte Demant Klinker ◽  
Anna Aaby ◽  
Lene Winther Ringgaard ◽  
Anneke Vang Hjort ◽  
Melanie Hawkins ◽  
...  

Health literacy has been identified as an important and changeable intermediary determinant of health equity. Vocational education and training (VET) schools are a relevant setting for health behavior interventions seeking to diminish health inequities because many VET students come from low socio-economic status backgrounds. This study examines VET students’ health literacy and its association with health behavior based on a cross-sectional survey among 6119 students from 58 VET schools in Denmark in 2019. Two scales from the Health Literacy Questionnaire was used to assess domains of health literacy. Data were analyzed using Anova and logistic regression. The study population consisted of 43.4% female, and mean age was 24.2 years (range 15.8–64.0). The health literacy domain ‘Actively managing my health’ mean was 2.51, SD 0.66, and ‘Appraisal of health information’ mean was 2.37, SD 0.65. For both domains, being female, older age, attending the VET educational program Care-health-pedagogy, and higher self-rated health were associated with higher scale scores. In the adjusted analyses, lower scale scores were associated with less frequent breakfast, daily smoking, high-risk alcohol behavior and moderate-to-low physical activity. Our results show that low health literacy is associated with unhealthy behaviors in this population. Our results support and inform health literacy research and practice in educational institutions and services.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather E. Kaiser ◽  
Daniel J. Barnett ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Thomas D. Kirsch ◽  
James J. James ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground: Although the training of future physicians in disaster preparedness and public health issues has been recognized as an important component of graduate medical education, medical students receive relatively limited exposure to these topics. Recommendations have been made to incorporate disaster medicine and public health preparedness into medical school curricula. To date, the perspectives of future physicians on disaster medicine and public health preparedness issues have not been described.Methods: A Web-based survey was disseminated to US medical students. Frequencies, proportions, and odds ratios were calculated to assess perceptions and self-described likelihood to respond to disaster and public health scenarios.Results: Of the 523 medical students who completed the survey, 17.2% believed that they were receiving adequate education and training for natural disasters, 26.2% for pandemic influenza, and 13.4% for radiological events, respectively; 51.6% felt they were sufficiently skilled to respond to a natural disaster, 53.2% for pandemic influenza, and 30.8% for radiological events. Although 96.0% reported willingness to respond to a natural disaster, 93.7% for pandemic influenza, and 83.8% for a radiological event, the majority of respondents did not know to whom they would report in such an event.Conclusions: Despite future physicians' willingness to respond, education and training in disaster medicine and public health preparedness offered in US medical schools is inadequate. Equipping medical students with knowledge, skills, direction, and linkages with volunteer organizations may help build a capable and sustainable auxiliary workforce. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:210–216)


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 216495612110375
Author(s):  
Carolyn Ee ◽  
Kate Templeman ◽  
Amy Forth ◽  
Vicki Kotsirilos ◽  
Gillian Singleton ◽  
...  

Background Globally, a substantial proportion of general practitioners (GPs) incorporate integrative medicine (IM) into their clinical practice. Objective This study aimed to map the IM education and training pathways and needs of a cohort of Australian GPs who are members of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ IM Specific Interest Network, which is a group of GPs with interest in IM. Methods We conducted a mixed-methods study comprising of an online, cross-sectional survey supplemented with in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data from the survey and interviews were initially analysed separately and then combined. Results Eighty-three (83) of 505 eligible GPs/GPs in training (16.4%) participated in the survey, and 15 GPs were interviewed. Results from the two datasets either converged or were complementary. Almost half (47%) of survey respondents had undertaken formal undergraduate or postgraduate IM education, a short course (63%), informal education (71%) or self-education (54%), in at least one of 20 IM modalities listed. Interviewees affirmed there was no single education pathway in IM. Survey respondents who identified as practicing IM were significantly more likely to have IM education, positive attitudes towards IM, particularly natural products, and higher self-rated IM knowledge and competencies. However, knowledge gaps were identified in professional skills domains of population health and context, and organisational and legal dimensions of applied IM practice. Interviewees also highlighted a range of professional and systemic barriers to the practice of IM, education, and training. There was broad support for recognition of IM as a sub-specialty through formalised post-graduate training and accreditation. Most survey respondents (62%) expressed interest in post-fellowship recognition of GPs with advanced skills in IM. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that it is important to define best practice in IM for GPs in Australia and provide a standardised pathway towards recognition of advanced skills in IM.


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