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Lessons Learned From the Field of Emergency Preparedness

AHRQ Public Health Emergency Preparedness Webcast

November 6, 2008

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, health care facilities may have a sudden surge of patients with diverse medical needs. This influx may cause them to reach capacity quickly and, in some cases, deplete available resources. In order to effectively manage mass medical care, communities must identify additional treatment sites and allocate resources appropriately.

To support community emergency preparedness planning, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a range of tools. To help communities use these tools, AHRQ hosted a Webcast entitled, Lessons from the Field of Emergency Preparedness. This event featured stories from three communities representing different regions with distinct populations, geographies, and threats. Presenters offered diverse perspectives on emergency planning and the use of available tools in order to enhance:

Surge capacity.
Medical supply allocation planning.
Resource inventories reporting systems.

Webcast

Presenters shared key insight on customizing tools in order to address the distinct needs of their communities. Emergency preparedness planners as well as Federal, State, and local community health planners, providers, and first-responders attended.

Select to access a recording of the Webcast (Transcript).

Select to access the slide presentation for the Webcast (Powerpoint® slides, 2 MB; Text Version).

Note: To ensure that your computer meets the technical requirements to view the Webcast, go to: WebEx System Requirements.

Speakers

Christian Feller, Safety Officer, Aultman Health Foundation, Canton, Ohio.
Nancie McAnaugh, Deputy Department Director, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Terri Gill, Senior Emergency Services Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness Office, California Department of Public Health.

AHRQ Tools Discussed

Current as of December 2008

Internet Citation:

Lessons Learned From the Field of Emergency Preparedness. AHRQ Webcast, November 6, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/prep/fieldemprep/