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Developing a Home-Based Primary Care Disaster Preparedness Toolkit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2016

Tamar Wyte-Lake ,
Maria Claver ,
Claudia Der-Martirosian ,
Darlene Davis  and
Aram Dobalian
Tamar Wyte-Lake*
Affiliation:
Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Veterans Health Administration, North Hills, California
Maria Claver
Affiliation:
Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Veterans Health Administration, North Hills, California
Claudia Der-Martirosian
Affiliation:
Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Veterans Health Administration, North Hills, California
Darlene Davis
Affiliation:
National Office, Home-Based Primary Care, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Tampa, Florida.
Aram Dobalian
Affiliation:
Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Veterans Health Administration, North Hills, California
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Tamar Wyte-Lake, Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Veterans Health Administration, 16111 Plummer St, MS-152, North Hills, CA 91343 (e-mail: tamar.wyte@va.gov).
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Abstract

Objective

Health agencies working with the homebound play a vital role in bolstering a community’s resiliency by improving the preparedness of this vulnerable population. Nevertheless, this role is one for which agencies lack training and resources, which leaves many homebound at heightened risk. This study examined the utility of an evidence-based Disaster Preparedness Toolkit in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs.

Methods

We conducted an online survey of all VHA HBPC program managers (N=77/146; 53% response rate).

Results

Respondents with fewer years with the HBPC program rated the toolkit as being more helpful (P<0.05). Of those who implemented their program’s disaster protocol most frequently, two-thirds strongly agreed that the toolkit was relevant. Conversely, of those who implemented their disaster protocols very infrequently or never, 23% strongly agreed that the topics covered in the toolkit were relevant to their work (P<0.05).

Conclusion

This toolkit helps support programs as they fulfill their preparedness requirements, especially practitioners who are new to their position in HBPC. Programs that implement disaster protocols infrequently may require additional efforts to increase understanding of the toolkit’s utility. Engaging all members of the team with their diverse clinical expertise could strengthen a patient’s personal preparedness plan. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:56–63)

Keywords

community health planningdisaster planningemergency preparednesshome health agenciesstandard of careveterans health
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , February 2017 , pp. 56 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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