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THE INFLUENCES OF SYSTEM AFFILIATION, SIZE, AND LOCATION ON BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AMONG FLORIDA HOSPITALS
Title
THE INFLUENCES OF SYSTEM AFFILIATION, SIZE, AND LOCATION ON BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AMONG FLORIDA HOSPITALS.
Creator
Scharoun, Kourtney, Liberman, Aaron, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
In the event of a bioterrorist attack, emergency departments are considered the first line of response for all acute levels of care. This study focused on hospital emergency departments in Florida and the activities, policies, and procedures involved in preparing for a bioterrorist attack. Hospital size, location, and system affiliation were related to attaining these levels, and their impact was assessed. Through a cross-sectional survey design, the physical properties of the 77 hospitals (i...
Show moreIn the event of a bioterrorist attack, emergency departments are considered the first line of response for all acute levels of care. This study focused on hospital emergency departments in Florida and the activities, policies, and procedures involved in preparing for a bioterrorist attack. Hospital size, location, and system affiliation were related to attaining these levels, and their impact was assessed. Through a cross-sectional survey design, the physical properties of the 77 hospitals (i.e. facilities, equipment, communication systems, etc.), and the social characteristics of the organizations (managerial functions including: planning, training, financial, and environmental characteristics) were examined. One-way analysis of variance and t-tests revealed that bed size was a significant predictor of mean levels of preparedness. In addition, although more hospitals are conducting training activities, a disconnect between plans and communications of said plans still exists along with many deficiencies still needing to be corrected. Study limitations are discussed and important policy implications are presented. Suggestions for improving preparedness levels and implementing new policies include: conducting training exercises, developing community ties and mutual aid agreements, and using information technology with detection of an event and communication of the information garnered from these efforts.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000379, ucf:46344
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000379
USING COMPUTER SIMULATION MODELING TO EVALUATE THE BIOTERRORISMRESPONSE PLAN AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL FACILITY
Title
USING COMPUTER SIMULATION MODELING TO EVALUATE THE BIOTERRORISMRESPONSE PLAN AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL FACILITY.
Creator
Bebber, Robert, Liberman, Aaron, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax mail attack have forced health care administrators and policy makers to place a new emphasis on disaster planning at hospital facilities--specifically bioterrorism planning. Yet how does one truly "prepare" for the unpredictable? In spite of accreditation requirements, which demand hospitals put in to place preparations to deal with bioterrorism events, a recent study from the General Accounting Office (GAO) concluded...
Show moreThe terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax mail attack have forced health care administrators and policy makers to place a new emphasis on disaster planning at hospital facilities--specifically bioterrorism planning. Yet how does one truly "prepare" for the unpredictable? In spite of accreditation requirements, which demand hospitals put in to place preparations to deal with bioterrorism events, a recent study from the General Accounting Office (GAO) concluded that most hospitals are still not capable of dealing with such threats (Gonzalez, 2004). This dissertation uses computer simulation modeling to test the effectiveness of bioterrorism planning at a local hospital facility in Central Florida, Winter Park Memorial Hospital. It is limited to the response plan developed by the hospital's Emergency Department. It evaluates the plan's effectiveness in dealing with an inhalational anthrax attack. Using Arena computer simulation software, and grounded within the theoretical framework of Complexity Science, we were able to test the effectiveness of the response plan in relation to Emergency Department bed capacity. Our results indicated that the response plan's flexibility was able to accommodate an increased patient load due to an attack, including an influx of the "worried well." Topics of future work and study are proposed.
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Date Issued
2007
Identifier
CFE0001712, ucf:47293
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001712