Tamar Wyte-Lake1,2, Maria Claver3, Rachel Johnson-Koenke4, Darlene Davis5, Aram Dobalian1,6. 1. Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC), US Department of Veterans Affairs, North Hills, CA. 2. Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR. 3. Gerontology Program, California State University, Long Beach, CA. 4. Denver-Seattle Center of Innovation, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs. 5. Geriatrics and Extended Care, Home and Community Based Care, US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 6. Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, University of Memphis School of Public Health, Memphis, TN.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the response of home-based primary care programs to the fall 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. METHODS: This study examines the experiences of 9 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs in their responses to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Thirty-four phone interviews with HBPC leadership and staff were conducted from April to July 2018. RESULTS: The total census of impacted HBPC programs was 3118. No program reported loss of life due to these hurricanes. Early preparedness was key to an effective program response. Response included prompt tracking of the patients. In the most affected areas, respondents noted limited resources to support basic patient needs. CONCLUSIONS: Medically complex patients served by programs such as the VHA's HBPC program represent a subset of the population, yet they have an outsized impact on health care resources that could be exacerbated by inadequate disaster preparedness. HBPC programs serve a unique role in supporting the "older old." They are tasked with supporting disaster preparedness activities of patients. Understanding what is involved in actualizing their requirements shows communities how to effectively engage with these programs.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the response of home-based primary care programs to the fall 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. METHODS: This study examines the experiences of 9 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs in their responses to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Thirty-four phone interviews with HBPC leadership and staff were conducted from April to July 2018. RESULTS: The total census of impacted HBPC programs was 3118. No program reported loss of life due to these hurricanes. Early preparedness was key to an effective program response. Response included prompt tracking of the patients. In the most affected areas, respondents noted limited resources to support basic patient needs. CONCLUSIONS: Medically complex patients served by programs such as the VHA's HBPC program represent a subset of the population, yet they have an outsized impact on health care resources that could be exacerbated by inadequate disaster preparedness. HBPC programs serve a unique role in supporting the "older old." They are tasked with supporting disaster preparedness activities of patients. Understanding what is involved in actualizing their requirements shows communities how to effectively engage with these programs.
Entities:
Keywords:
emergency preparedness; home health agencies; older adults
Authors: Thomas Edes; Bruce Kinosian; Nancy H Vuckovic; Linda Olivia Nichols; Margaret Mary Becker; Monir Hossain Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Tamar Wyte-Lake; Chelsea Manheim; Suzanne M Gillespie; Aram Dobalian; Leah M Haverhals Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2022-04-04 Impact factor: 7.802