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Results for “Preparedness”

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PubMed1990

Mutuality and preparedness as predictors of caregiver role strain.

Data from 78 older persons and their family caregivers were obtained at 6 weeks and 9 months after hospital discharge. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine whether mutuality and preparedness for caregiving were related to lower levels of caregiver role strain. The results indicated that, after controlling for five other variables commonly found to be related to caregiver role strain, mutuality and preparedness ameliorated some but not all aspects of role strain.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The PREP system of nursing interventions: a pilot test with families caring for older members. Preparedness (PR), enrichment (E) and predictability (P).

The PREP system of nursing interventions, designed to increase preparedness (PR), enrichment (E), and predictability (P) in families providing care to older people, was pilot tested for acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. Eleven family units were assigned to the PREP group and 11 to a standard home health control group. The PREP group scored approximately one SD higher than the control group (p < .05) on the Care Effectiveness Scale, indicating greater preparedness, enrichment, and predictability. Further, on a rating of overall usefulness, the PREP group rated their assistance from PREP nurses (M = 9.75) as significantly higher (p < .01) than the control group rated assistance from the home health nurse or physical therapist (M = 6.57). Although not statistically significant, mean hospital costs for the PREP group ($2,775) were lower than for the control group ($6,929). Results provided support for a full intervention trial.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Involving women in HIV vaccine efficacy trials: lessons learned from a vaccine preparedness study in New York City.

This paper identifies the recruitment strategies and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors of at-risk women in an HIV vaccine preparedness study in New York City, assesses how these behaviors changed over time, and draws implications for women's involvement in HIV vaccine efficacy trials. Noninjecting HIV-1 negative women (N = 89) were recruited into an HIV vaccine preparedness study. An observational cohort study design was used. Women were recruited from clinics and community-based organizations (40%), through other study participants (24%), through newspaper advertisements (20%), and through street outreach (16%). Most women who refused (72%) also came from clinics and agencies. Retention after 12 months was 67%; after 18 months, it was 62%. The proportion of women reporting unprotected vaginal sex in the previous 3 months was 85% at baseline and declined to 70% after 12 months (P < .05). There have been no seroconversions detected. Recruitment efforts to include at-risk women in HIV vaccine efficacy trials must be diverse and actively involve community agencies. Successfully retaining these cohorts over time and detecting a high enough HIV seroincidence rate present ongoing challenges that will need to be addressed to ensure women's involvement in future trials in the US.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed2006

Creating a regional pediatric medical disaster preparedness network: imperative and issues.

Over the past few decades, the number of disasters, both natural and human initiated has increased. As a result, since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, there has been a new emphasis on disaster preparedness. However, the preparedness emphasis has been primarily directed toward adults and little attention has been specifically given to the needs of children. One reason for the lack of attention to pediatric needs in disaster planning is that childhood is seldom viewed as a separate and special stage of growth, fundamentally different from adulthood. The expectation during emergencies is that the care provided for adults is appropriate for children. The purpose of this paper is to examine the types of and increase in disasters and discuss the importance of specifically addressing the special needs of children in disaster planning. Further the paper argues for a regional network approach to emergency pediatric care that would increase surge capacity for children during disasters and other emergencies.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Criteria for the assessment of disaster preparedness.

The assessment of disaster preparedness of certain areas is to a large extent liable to subjectivity. For a modern society, however, objectivity is a prerequisite. A methodology is presented calculating the disaster preparednes of municipalities, counties, provinces, states, or even countries. Standardization of this methodology could allow comparison of disaster preparedness between these areas.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMed2004

Impulsivity, negative expectancies, and marijuana use: a test of the acquired preparedness model.

According to the 'acquired preparedness model,' expectancies mediate the relationship between an impulsive personality style and alcohol use. The current study evaluated whether the model can also be applied to marijuana use. Estimated probabilities and subjective evaluations of personally expected marijuana effects, along with impulsivity and frequency of marijuana use, were assessed in 337 college undergraduates. Tests of mediation examining positive and negative marijuana expectancies showed negative expectancies to be a significant mediator for both males and females. That is, participants who were higher on impulsivity had fewer negative expectancies and in turn used more marijuana. This study provides evidence that the acquired preparedness model may help to explain marijuana use.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Hospital bioterrorism preparedness linkages with the community: improvements over time.

BACKGROUND: Strong linkages between hospitals and community response entities such as fire safety, law enforcement, emergency management agencies, emergency medical services, public health, and local government administration are an essential element of overall hospital preparedness. These pre-established relationships enable an integrated community response during an emergency. METHODS: This pilot study assessed changes in linkages between hospitals and key community entities related to preparedness for a bioterrorism (BT) event before and after the events of fall 2001. A 51-item questionnaire was mailed to two consecutive hospital samples scheduled for accreditation surveys (April-May 2001 and May-June 2002; n=68 and n=97 responses, respectively). On-site visits by surveyors verified the presence of a plan addressing bioterrorism issues. RESULTS: Substantial improvement in collaborative planning for surge capacity and lab/pharmacy issues occurred. Hospital plans that addressed BT increased significantly (47.1% to 90.7%), as did awareness of community BT-related plans (48.5% to 74.2%). Hospitals that conducted a BT-related drill increased from 19.1% to 48.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate resources are needed, but opportunities remain to further improve collaborative planning, such as agreements with other hospitals on a single media spokesperson or development of a protocol for pharmaceutical distribution. Additional guidance is needed on expected levels of performance regarding linkages.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2006

Lessons learned from clinical anthrax drills: evaluation of knowledge and preparedness for a bioterrorist threat in Israeli emergency departments.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Emergency department (ED) physicians and nurses are considered critical sentinels of a bioterrorist attack. We designed a special hospital drill to test EDs' response to inhalational anthrax and assess the level of preparedness for anthrax bioterrorism. We hypothesized that the occurrence of such a drill in an ED would improve the knowledge of its physicians, even those who had not actually participated in the drill. METHODS: We conducted 23 drills at all Israeli general hospitals' EDs. An actor entered the walk-in triage area, simulating a febrile patient with lower respiratory complaints. A chest radiograph with mediastinal widening, as can be seen in early anthrax disease, was planted in the hospital's imaging results system. Patients were instructed to give additional epidemiologic clues, such as having a few friends with a similar syndrome. Either before or after the drills, we distributed multiple choice tests about diagnosis and management of anthrax to the 115 senior emergency physicians at these hospitals. RESULTS: In 91% of EDs, a decision to admit the patient was made. Sixty-one percent included anthrax in the differential diagnosis and activated the appropriate protocols. Only 43% contacted all relevant officials. Average score on the anthrax tests was 58 (of 100). Physicians who were tested before the drill (in their institution) achieved a mean score of 54.5, whereas those who were tested after their ED had been exercised achieved a mean score of 59.3. CONCLUSION: A national framework of drills on bioterrorism can help estimate and potentially augment national preparedness for bioterrorist threats. It is not, on its own, an effective educational tool. More emphasis should be given to formal accredited continuing medical education programs on bioterrorism, especially for emergency physicians and ED nurses, who will be in the front line of a bioterrorist attack.

Anthrax↗

PubMed2004

Peak alpha frequency: an electroencephalographic measure of cognitive preparedness.

OBJECTIVE: Electroencephalographic (EEG) peak alpha frequency (PAF) (measured in Hz) has been correlated to cognitive performance between healthy and clinical individuals, and among healthy individuals. PAF also varies within individuals across developmental stages, among different cognitive tasks, and among physiological states induced by administration of various substances. The present study suggests that, among other things, PAF reflects a trait or state of cognitive preparedness. METHODS: Experiment 1 involved 19-channel EEG recordings from 10 individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 12 healthy matched controls, before, during, and after tasks of visual and auditory attention. Experiment 2 involved EEG recordings from 19 healthy young adults before and after a working memory task (WAIS-R Digit Span), repeated on 2 different days to measure within-individual differences. RESULTS: Experiment 1 showed significantly lower PAF in individuals with TBI, mostly during post-task rest. Experiment 2 showed PAF during pre-task baseline to be significantly correlated with Digit Span performance of the same day but not with Digit Span performance of another day. Moreover, PAF was significantly increased after Digit Span for those participants whose PAF was lower than the sample median before the task, but not for those who had it higher. Finally, both PAF and Digit Span performance were increased during the second day. CONCLUSIONS: PAF was shown to detect both trait and state differences in cognitive preparedness, as well as to be affected by cognitive tasks. Traits are better reflected during post-task rest, whereas states are better reflected during initial resting baseline recordings.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of public health nurses in bioterrorism preparedness.

BACKGROUND: Public health nurses have a central function in the public health system. Nurses conduct disease surveillance, which is an important first step in recognizing diseases caused by bioterrorist agents. Unfortunately, the current public health infrastructure and expectations for public health nurses are not clearly defined and therefore pose serious difficulties for conducting disease surveillance. Increased surveillance activities for bioterrorism preparedness add more responsibilities to the work of public health nurses. METHODS: A qualitative study on disease surveillance was conducted with public health officials at regional and local levels, working in a variety of urban and rural settings in one large public health region in Texas. Data analysis was supported by qualitative research software, The Ethnograph. RESULTS: The study found that the nurses working at the local level were extremely dedicated to serving their communities, had formed informal partnerships that are essential for disease surveillance, and effectively used informal communication channels to obtain critical surveillance information. The study revealed that nurses had unmet needs and experienced multiple barriers to conducting disease surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings could have implications for public policy and nursing leadership. Defining the structure of the public health system and the scope of public health nurses' responsibilities will serve as the cornerstone for improvement of bioterrorism preparedness.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hospital preparedness for possible nonconventional casualties: an Israeli experience.

Since 9/11, hospitals and health authorities have been preparing medical response in case of various mass terror attacks. The experience of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in treating suicide-bombing mass casualties served, in the time leading up to the war in Iraq, as a platform for launching a preparedness program for possible attacks with biological and chemical agents of mass destruction. Adapting Quarantelli's criteria on disaster mitigation to the "microinfrastructure" of the hospital, and including human behavior experts, we attempted to foster an interactive emergency management process that would deal with contingencies stemming from the potential hazards of chemical and biological (CB) weapons. The main objective of our work was to encourage an organization-wide communication network that could effectively address the contingent hazards unique to this unprecedented situation. A stratified assessment of needs, identification of unique dangers to first responders, and assignment of team-training sessions paved the way for program development. Empowerment through leadership and resilience training was introduced to emergency team leaders of all disciplines. Focal subject matters included proactive planning, problem-solving, informal horizontal and vertical communication, and coping through stress-management techniques. The outcome of this process was manifested in an "operation and people" orientation supporting a more effective and compatible emergency management. The aim of article is to describe this process and to point toward the need for a broad-spectrum view in such circumstances. Unlike military units, the civilian hospital staff at risk, expected to deal with CB casualties, requires adequate personal consideration to enable effective functioning. Issues remain to be addressed in the future. We believe that collaboration and sharing of knowledge, information, and expertise beyond the medical realm is imperative in assisting hospitals to expedite appropriate preparedness programs.

Biological Warfare↗

PubMed2026

From fragmentation to coordination: strengthening One Health research to support H5N1 preparedness in Cambodia.

OBJECTIVES: Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) remains a major zoonotic threat, characterized by persistent transmission in Cambodia since its re-emergence in 2023. Despite strengthened surveillance and the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on One Health, limited integration of research across sectors constrains preparedness and response. This viewpoint examines how research supports the One Health system in Cambodia. METHODS: This viewpoint draws on insights obtained from the first national multistakeholder workshop on H5N1, held in March 2026. RESULTS: Fragmentation across epidemiological, clinical, behavioral, environmental, and genomic domains limits the generation of actionable evidence and delays its translation into policy. CONCLUSION: We propose the establishment of a multisectoral technical working group on H5N1 research embedded within the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on One Health to align research priorities, strengthen data integration, and improve evidence-to-policy translation. This approach could enhance national preparedness while simultaneously positioning Cambodia as a model for coordinated One Health research in the Western Pacific region and beyond.

Avian influenza A (H5N1)↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Disaster preparedness: what do we do now?

Disasters are events that exceed the capacity of the people affected to recover from the adverse affects. Understanding types of disasters and components of disaster responses provides a basis for developing disaster preparedness plans. Disaster preparedness is a process for assessing risks and capacities for responding when disasters occur. Planning can mitigate damages and facilitate rapid and effective disaster response services. Health care workers, including midwives and women's health care providers, can access resources to be prepared as competent responders in disaster contexts to meet the needs of women and their communities.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Pandemic preparedness: different perspectives. How ready are we for the next pandemic?

Europe is not ready for the next pandemic. Nonetheless, several positive developments are cause for optimism. The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) was founded in May 2005 and has explicitly identified influenza as one of its top four priorities. Europe is also taking steps to streamline the regulatory approval of new vaccines during a pandemic. Europe can learn much from Canada. The Canadian public health authorities have focused on developing the infrastructure, procedures and acceptance for vaccination against the annual influenza epidemics as a means of strengthening pandemic preparedness. The Canadians are also stockpiling antiviral drugs. These drugs are an excellent way to bridge the gap between the appearance of a pandemic virus and the development of an effective vaccine against it. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is driving change on a global level and will table a pandemic preparedness plan at the next World Health Assembly. Preparing now, during the interpandemic period, is the best way to prepare for a pandemic.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2006

How to develop and implement pandemic preparedness plans? The need for a coherent European policy.

How should public health authorities confront the threat of pandemic influenza? Is massive stockpiling the answer? If so, the costs could be overwhelming. Or is vaccination of pre-selected segments of the population the best approach? If so, then what about the tough ethical question that must be addressed: for whom--and by whose decision? Are local and national health authorities operating on the same wavelength? Just how all-encompassing should a national preparedness plan be? Finally, can we count on one national government to shuttle vaccines across Europe's internal borders where they are needed to deal with an outbreak--or will hoarding and panic ensue? These issues and more were the focus of debate during the conference's session on preparedness plans, chaired by Dr. D. Fedson, former professor of medicine at the University of Virginia. As participants observed, Europe faces an alarming diversity of approaches and states of readiness from one country to the next, which cries out for a coherent European policy.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMed2004

Emergency preparedness--is your OR ready?

Emergency situations only recently have come to include terrorist threats, such as radiation, biological and chemical attacks, and bombings. The importance of emergency preparedness in health care facilities has increased as a result of recent terrorist threats. Perioperative leaders must meet the challenge of preparing their departments for a wide range of potential disasters. This article describes how a facility can prepare for both natural and man-made disasters and reviews modifications to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' disaster preparedness standards.

Communication↗

PubMed2006

Pandemic influenza preparedness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Concerns are mounting that the threat of another influenza pandemic will become a reality and that the epicentre of the outbreak could be the Asia-Pacific region. We assessed the documents that some Asia-Pacific countries have published as part of preparedness planning for an outbreak of influenza in people. Regional approaches were polarised. Thailand, China, and Vietnam had set out a strategic vision to strengthen future capacity in preparedness planning. By contrast, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand took a strategic approach aimed mainly at harnessing available resources or preparing for the deployment of resources such as stockpiled antiviral agents and vaccines. The plans of Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand compared favourably with the best European plans. The plans of resource-poor countries addressed some issues that were largely neglected by most European plans. Other countries (including those that do not yet have plans) could benefit from analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the plans drawn up by countries in the region and in Europe.

Asia, Southeastern↗

PubMed2002

Bioterrorism preparedness. II: The community and emergency medical services systems.

Disaster planning is an arduous task. Perhaps no form of disaster is more difficult to prepare for than one resulting from the intentional, covert release of a biological pathogen or toxin. The complexities of response operations and the perils of inadequate preparation cannot be overemphasized. Even with detailed planning, deviations from anticipated emergency operations plans are likely to occur. Several federal programs have been initiated to assist communities in enhancing their preparedness for events involving biological and other agents of mass destruction. Many of these, such as the Metropolitan Medical Response Systems (MMRS) Program [37,38], will be discussed elsewhere. Community preparedness will be enhanced by: 1. Implementing a real-time public health disease surveillance program linking local healthcare, emergency care, EMS, the CDC, local law enforcement, and the FBI 2. Improved real-time regional patient and healthcare capacity status management 3. Development of affordable, accurate biological agent detection systems 4. Incorporation of standardized education and training curricula (appropriate for audience) on terrorism and biological agents into healthcare training programs 5. Expansion of federal and state programs to assist communities in system development 6. Increased public awareness and education programs.

Bioterrorism↗