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Is Your Hospital Prepared?

California hospitals are a critical element within the disaster medical response system and work collaboratively with local government, other health care providers and other agencies to plan, prepare for and respond to the needs of victims of natural or man-made disasters, bioterrorism, and other public health emergencies. Hospital emergency preparedness is a priority for government at all levels, as well as a key focus of regulatory and accrediting agencies.

What's New

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Sustained Extreme Temperature Preparations
Triple digit weather expected for immediate forecast - June 2017

When extreme weather patterns emerge, hospitals must prepare for many potential issues such as rolling blackouts from increased power usage and patient surges in the ER. See resources below to help prepare for these and other potential heat related concerns.

ASPR Tracie Extreme Heat Materials

NOAA Heat Safety Resources

Ready.gov Extreme Heat

EPA Excessive Heat Events

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CISRP Template for Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident Action Plan
May 18, 2017

Healthcare and Public Health Sector Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Partnership has released a Template For Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident Action Plan to assist hospital CEO’s in creating a documented plan for recovery from a cybersecurity incident.

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A Little-known Asset That Can Shape Your Hospital’s Culture
Hospital & Health Networks Magazine Article

April 18, 2017

Development and growth can stem from something seemingly small, a major event, or even an accidental discovery. H&HN delves into why a hospital may benefit from embracing its history to model its future with the article A Little-known Asset That Can Shape Your Hospital.

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Preparedness Index Shows Gradual Improvement in National Health Security

The 2017 release of the National Health Security Preparedness Index reflects gradual improvement in state and national progress related to preparing for disasters, disease outbreaks and other emergencies that pose risks to health and well-being. According to the index, national health security has improved 6.3 percent since 2013. The current national score is 6.8 out of 10 on average, with higher scores reported for health security surveillance (7.9) and incident and information management (8.2) domains. California’s current scores generally mirror the national rates, with an above average rating on environmental and occupational health. Overall, the index found large and persistent geographic disparities in health security; that gains in health insurance coverage strengthen health security in many states; and that participation in health care preparedness coalitions by hospitals, public health agencies and emergency agencies has trended upward since 2013.

Hospitals are reminded to share the ways in which they are using the index through the Preparedness Innovator Challenge, a competition to identify ways in which the index stimulates communication, collaboration and action to improve health security. For more information, visit http://nhspi.org/mobilizingaction/.

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HHS Secretary Price Authorizes Emergency Use of Nerve Agent Antidotes
globalbiodefense.com

April 17, 2017

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tom Price last week issued a “Determination and Declaration Regarding Emergency Use of Injectable Treatments for Nerve Agent or Certain Insecticide (Organophosphorus and/or Carbamate) Poisoning,” authorizing emergency use of injectable treatments for nerve agent or certain weaponized insecticides. Read full article here.

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WHO alarmed by use of highly toxic chemicals as weapons in Syria
World Health Organization Statement

April 5, 2017

WHO is alarmed by serious reports of the use of highly toxic chemicals in an attack in Khan Shaykhun, southern rural Idleb, Syria. Read full statement here.