The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)

The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) enhances the ability of hospitals and health care systems to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.  Current program priority areas include interoperable communication systems, bed tracking, personnel management, fatality management planning and hospital evacuation planning.  During the past five years HPP funds have also improved bed and personnel surge capacity, decontamination capabilities, isolation capacity, pharmaceutical supplies, training, education, drills and exercises.

Hospitals, outpatient facilities, health centers, poison control centers, EMS and other healthcare partners work with the appropriate state or local health department to acquire funding and develop healthcare system preparedness through this program.  Funding is distributed directly to the Health Department of the State or political subdivision of a State (cities and counties are considered political subdivisions of States).

The HPP supports priorities established by the National Preparedness Goal established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2005.  The Goal guides entities at all levels of government in the development and maintenance of capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, including Incidents of National Significance.  Additionally, the Goal will assist entities at all levels of government in the development and maintenance of the capabilities to identify, prioritize and protect critical infrastructure

The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 transferred the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (NBHPP) from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).  The focus of the program is now all-hazards preparedness and not solely bioterrorism.

Authorizing Legislation

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-417) amended section 319C-2 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to enable such entities to improve surge capacity and enhance community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies.

Program Priorities

Required Funding Capabilities

The following capabilities MUST be prioritized and funded during the FY 2007 budget period by all award recipients:

1. Interoperable Communications System
2. Bed Tracking System
3. Emergency System for the Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP)
4. Fatality Management Plans
5. Hospital Evacuation Plans

Optional Funding Capabilities

The following program capabilities have been funding priorities in previous years. If funding permits, the following capabilities may be prioritized after the required funding capabilities, mentioned above, during the FY 2007 budget cycle:

1. Alternate Care Sites (ACS)
2. Mobile Medical Assets
3. Pharmaceutical Caches
4. Personal Protective Equipment
5. Decontamination

Overarching Requirements

The following components must be incorporated into the development and maintenance of ALL capabilities that are funded by the States and jurisdictions:

1. National Incident Management System (NIMS)
2. Education and Preparedness Training
3. Exercises, Evaluations and Corrective Actions