AHRQ Public Health Emergency Preparedness Webcasts

Over the past decade, AHRQ has produced a growing collection of research and tools to assist our Nation, States, and local communities in preparing for public health emergencies, such as hurricanes, bioterrorist attacks, and mass casualty events.

AHRQ is offering three informational Webcasts highlighting AHRQ emergency preparedness tools that will take place from November 2008 through February 2009.

Webcast #1 : Lessons Learned From the Field of Emergency Preparedness

November 6, 2008, 12-1:30 PM EST 

Offers insights on how some people have used and adapted AHRQ tools to address their own State or community needs. The emphasis for this session is on using one or more of the AHRQ tools to satisfy local needs.

AHRQ Tools Highlighted:

• Rocky Mountain Regional Care Model for Bioterrorist Events: Locate Alternate Care Sites During an Emergency
• Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources
• Emergency Preparedness Resource Inventory (EPRI)

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Future Webcast: Public Health Emergency Preparedness:
Planning and Practicing for a Disaster

Tentative Date: January 2009

Being prepared for a public health emergency takes planning, but it is also critical to practice that plan!  AHRQ emergency preparedness tools help do both.  AHRQ has several tools to help health care facilities plan emergency resource allocation and, as necessary, patient evacuation.  AHRQ also promotes regular exercises to practice plans, and their tool for evaluating hospital disaster drills can help. 

AHRQ Tools Highlighted:

• Hospital Surge Model
• Transportation Planning Model & National Systems Recommendations
• Evaluation of Hospital Disaster Drills: A Module-Based Approach