BACKGROUND: Adequate pandemic preparedness is imperative for home health agencies. METHODS: A 23-item pandemic preparedness survey was administered to home health agencies in the spring of 2010. The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to evaluate the relationships between agency size and preparedness indicators. Significant findings were further analyzed by the Mann-Whitney (MW) U post hoc test. RESULTS: The response rate was 25% (526/2,119). Approximately one-third of respondents (30.4%; n = 131) reported experiencing trouble obtaining supplies during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Small agencies were significantly more likely (Krusal-Wallis [KW] = 9.2; P < .01) to report having trouble obtaining supplies than larger-sized agencies (Mann-Whitney [MW] = 14,080; P < .01). Most home health agencies (87.3%; n = 459) reported having a pandemic influenza plan. One-third (33.5%; n = 176) reported having no surge capacity; only 27.0% (n = 142) reported having at least a 20% surge capacity. The largest agencies were significantly more likely (KW = 138; P < .001) to report having at least 20% surge capacity than medium-sized agencies (MW = 7,812; P = .001) or small agencies (MW = 8,306; P < .001). Approximately 80% (n = 414) reported stockpiling personal protective equipment. Three-quarters (71.3%; n = 375) reported fit-testing staff, and half (49.2%; n = 259) reported participating in disaster drills. The majority of home health professionals (75.1%; n = 395) reported having a personal/family disaster plan in place. CONCLUSION: There are gaps in US home health agency pandemic preparedness, including surge capacity and participation in disaster drills, that need to be addressed.
BACKGROUND: Adequate pandemic preparedness is imperative for home health agencies. METHODS: A 23-item pandemic preparedness survey was administered to home health agencies in the spring of 2010. The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to evaluate the relationships between agency size and preparedness indicators. Significant findings were further analyzed by the Mann-Whitney (MW) U post hoc test. RESULTS: The response rate was 25% (526/2,119). Approximately one-third of respondents (30.4%; n = 131) reported experiencing trouble obtaining supplies during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Small agencies were significantly more likely (Krusal-Wallis [KW] = 9.2; P < .01) to report having trouble obtaining supplies than larger-sized agencies (Mann-Whitney [MW] = 14,080; P < .01). Most home health agencies (87.3%; n = 459) reported having a pandemic influenza plan. One-third (33.5%; n = 176) reported having no surge capacity; only 27.0% (n = 142) reported having at least a 20% surge capacity. The largest agencies were significantly more likely (KW = 138; P < .001) to report having at least 20% surge capacity than medium-sized agencies (MW = 7,812; P = .001) or small agencies (MW = 8,306; P < .001). Approximately 80% (n = 414) reported stockpiling personal protective equipment. Three-quarters (71.3%; n = 375) reported fit-testing staff, and half (49.2%; n = 259) reported participating in disaster drills. The majority of home health professionals (75.1%; n = 395) reported having a personal/family disaster plan in place. CONCLUSION: There are gaps in US home health agency pandemic preparedness, including surge capacity and participation in disaster drills, that need to be addressed.
Authors: Evelien Belfroid; Aura Timen; Jim E van Steenbergen; Anita Huis; Marlies E J L Hulscher Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2017-03-07 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Jingjing Shang; Ashley M Chastain; Uduwanage Gayani E Perera; Andrew W Dick; Caroline J Fu; Elizabeth A Madigan; Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz; Patricia W Stone Journal: Int J Nurs Stud Date: 2021-01-19 Impact factor: 5.837
Authors: Maria Lucia Specchia; Andrea Di Pilla; Martina Sapienza; Maria Teresa Riccardi; Americo Cicchetti; Gianfranco Damiani; Instant Report Group Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-09 Impact factor: 3.390