Resources
ORISE partners with CDC to develop Hospital All-Hazards Self-Assessment to identify gaps in planning efforts
The Hospital All-Hazards Self-Assessment, or HAH, is designed to help hospitals assess and identify potential gaps in their facility’s all-hazards emergency plan(s). Upon completing the HAH, hospitals can use it to modify aspects of these plan(s). Hospitals are encouraged to update the HAH as changes to the plan(s) are made, and to include the HAH with their preparedness planning documents.
The tool is geared toward hospital preparedness staff, including planners, administrators, and other key personnel. It is suggested that this group complete the HAH in multiple sessions over a period of time. Once completed, a facility may want to consider sharing this information with community partners (such as local public health, emergency management and other health care entities) to integrate their plan into a coordinated community plan.
The HAH consists of 26 topic areas with questions. The questions are in yes/no, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer format. Users are able to answer only questions that pertain to them, and are not required to complete all fields. The HAH incorporates the standards set forth by the Joint Commission. It focuses on the parts of a hospital emergency operations plan, based on an all-hazards approach.
Upon completion of the HAH, hospital preparedness staff should have identified potential gaps in their planning efforts. Using the questions in the HAH as a guide, planners can begin the process of revising their all-hazards plan(s), as needed, in order to provide the highest level of care and safety possible for patients and healthcare workers during an emergency. In addition, the completed HAH may be disseminated to hospital staff, as well as community partners, to educate them on the hospital’s all-hazards preparedness plan(s). Users are encouraged to update the HAH as changes to their plan(s) are made, and to include the HAH with their preparedness planning documents.
