The Latest: Since the launch of the Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Project, six regional managers have been hired and have begun connecting with regional task force leadership, health care facility preparedness coordinators, and other partners in their regions to support existing preparedness programs and partnerships, and increase participation of all partners (health care facilities and agencies) in the regional coalition process. In addition, a weekly email newsletter, Keystone Health Preparedness Digest, is being distributed to provide a summary of national, state, and regional health care preparedness news, activities, training opportunities, and resources. For additional information about the Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Project, or to have someone added to the newsletter distribution list, contact HAP’s Tom Grace.
Background: Hospitals and health systems are essential partners in any public health and medical emergency response. During the past several years, many health care facilities have made great strides in improving their response capabilities to meet the medical needs of citizens during a disaster. However, there is more work to be done to ensure consistency and enhanced coordination across the commonwealth. In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with HAP in a five-year initiative to support and enhance health care preparedness and response efforts across the state. The initiative will build on the successful efforts of Pennsylvania hospitals, developing a partnership between DOH, health care, emergency medical services, and public health.
Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report- Weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Influenza Division. All data are preliminary and may change as CDC receives more reports.
Medical Surge Management Series- In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released its Pennsylvania Modular Emergency Medical System (PA-MEMS) guidance, describing the commonwealth’s strategy for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from incidents that result in a surge in the demand for medical care beyond what the existing health care system can provide.
A Quick Guide: FEMA Reimbursement for Acute Care Hospitals- Provides an overview of FEMA’s reimbursement process, and outlines the tasks and corresponding timelines that must be met by acute care hospitals to successfully apply to FEMA for reimbursements of declared disaster-related expenses.
2012 HHS HPP Guidance for Health Care Systems- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) guidance document for hospitals and health systems.
PA Facilities Resource Emergency Database (FRED)system designed to provide information about an emergency to providers in affected areas and enable providers to report information about available resources.
State Emergency Response SERVPA- Hospital staff (of all disciplines) interested in volunteering during disasters should register with the Department of Health’s SERVPA. To sign-up to volunteer for specific unit, visit the SERVPA website.
Homeland Security Information Network Bulletins (HSIN CS bulletins) - Sign up by emailing your name, work email address, employer, contact telephone number, and sector associated with to: CIKRISEAccess@dhs.gov- make sure to sign up for the alert notifications option.
PA State Police Criminal Intelligence Center CIKR Bulletins - Sign up by emailing SP-ProtectPA@pa.govor call (877) 777-6835 and sign up for your sector.
ReadyNotifyPA for South East Pennsylvaniais a system that local officials can quickly send emergency text alerts, etc., to subscribers via cell, pager, and/or email accounts.
