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Sustaining Preparedness in Hospitals

Research and Theory to Foster Change in the Face of Grand Health Care Challenges

ISBN: 978-1-83797-656-0, eISBN: 978-1-83797-655-3

Publication date: 7 February 2024

Abstract

Purpose

The years following the 9/11/2001 terrorists attacks saw a marked increase in community and hospital emergency preparedness, from communications across community networks, development of policies and procedures, to attainment and training in the use of biological warfare resources. Regular drills ensured emergency and health care personnel were trained and prepared to address the next large-scale crisis, especially from terrorist and bioterrorist attacks. This chapter looks at some of the more familiar global health issues over the past two decades and the lessons learned from hospital responses to inform hospital management in preparation for future incidents.

Search Methods

This study is a narrative review of the literature related to lessons learned from four major events in the time period from 2002 to 2023 – SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19.

Search Results

The initial search yielded 25,913 articles; 57 articles were selected for inclusion in the study.

Discussion and Conclusions

Comparison of key issues and lessons learned among the four major events described in this article – SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19 – highlight that several lessons are “relearned” with each event. Other key issues, such as supply shortages, staffing availability, and hospital capacity to simultaneously provide care to noninfectious patients came to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. A primary, ongoing concern for hospitals is how to maintain their preparedness given competing priorities, resources, and staff time. This concern remains post-COVID-19.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge and thank, Stephanie Duea, PhD, for her assistance and encouragement.

Citation

Smith, E.D. (2024), "Sustaining Preparedness in Hospitals", Hefner, J.L., Cross, D.A. and Shay, P.D. (Ed.) Research and Theory to Foster Change in the Face of Grand Health Care Challenges (Advances in Health Care Management, Vol. 22), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 161-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-823120240000022008

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024 Elveta D. Smith. Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited