Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T12:41:43.876Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ebola Preparedness Planning and Collaboration by Two Health Systems in Wisconsin, September to December 2014

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2015

Kathryn Kraft Leonhardt ,
Megan Keuler ,
Nasia Safdar  and
Paul Hunter
Kathryn Kraft Leonhardt*
Affiliation:
Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Megan Keuler
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
Nasia Safdar
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
Paul Hunter
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Kathryn Kraft Leonhardt, MD, MPH (e-mail: Leonhardt.Kathy@gmail.com) or Paul Hunter, MD, City of Milwaukee Health Department, 841 N. Broadway Street #315, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (e-mail: phunte@milwaukee.gov).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We describe the collaborative approach used by 2 health systems in Wisconsin to plan and prepare for the threat of Ebola virus disease. This was a descriptive study of the preparedness planning, infection prevention, and collaboration with public health agencies undertaken by 2 health systems in Wisconsin between September and December 2014. The preparedness approach used by the 2 health systems relied successfully on their robust infrastructure for planning and infection prevention. In the setting of rapidly evolving guidance and unprecedented fear regarding Ebola, the 2 health systems enhanced their response through collaboration and coordination with each other and government public health agencies. Key lessons learned included the importance of a rigorous planning process, robust infection prevention practices, and coalitions between public and private health sectors. The potential threat of Ebola virus disease stimulated emergency preparedness in which acute care facilities played a leading role in the public health response. Leveraging the existing expertise of health systems is essential when faced with emerging infectious diseases. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:691–697)

Keywords

emergency preparednessinfection controlquality of health careepidemiological monitoringhealth care economics and organizations
Type
Concepts in Disaster Medicine
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , August 2016 , pp. 691 - 697
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Dr Leonhardt is currently Consultant, Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Delafield, Wisconsin. Dr Keuler is currently with the University of Minnesota. Dr Hunter is also with the City of Milwaukee Health Department.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola. Last updated August 21, 2015. Accessed July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
2. The Joint Commission. New and Revised Requirements Address Emergency Management Oversight. Joint Commission Perspectives. 2013;33:14-15.Google Scholar
3. World Health Organization. Health worker Ebola infections in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/171823/1/WHO_EVD_SDS_REPORT_2015.1_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1. Published May 21, 2015. Accessed July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
4. Aurora Health Care. 2013 Annual Report. https://ahc.aurorahealthcare.org/aboutus/annualreports/2013/art/annual-report-2013.pdf. Accessed July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
5. United States Census Bureau. State & County QuickFacts: Wisconsin. United States Census Bureau website. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55000.html. Accessed July 10, 2015.Google Scholar
6. University of Wisconsin. Health Facts and Figures: UW Health (FY14). UW Health website. http://www.uwhealth.org/files/uwhealth/docs/about/uw_health_facts_and_figures.pdf. Accessed July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
7. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Ebola virus disease. Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/ebola-virus-disease.htm. Accessed on July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
8. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Healthcare Preparedness Capabilities: National Guidance for Healthcare System Preparedness. http://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/capabilities.pdf. Published January 2012. Accessed February 28, 2015.Google Scholar
9. McHugh, M, Staiti, AB, Felland, LE. How prepared are Americans for public health emergencies? Twelve communities weigh in. Health Aff. 2004;23(3):201-209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.23.3.201.Google Scholar
10. Lurie, N, Manolio, T, Patterson, AP, Collins, F, Frieden, T. Research as a part of public health emergency response. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(13):1251-1255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsb1209510.Google Scholar
11. Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Outbreaks: Protecting Americans from Infectious Disease. Healthy Americans.org website. http://www.healthyamericans.org/reports/outbreaks2014/. Published December 2014. Accessed February 20, 2015.Google Scholar
12. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Science of improvement: how to improve. Institute for Healthcare Improvement website. http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/HowtoImprove/ScienceofImprovementHowtoImprove.aspx. Accessed March 10, 2015.Google Scholar
13. Project Management Institute. What is project management? Project Management Institute website. http://www.pmi.org/en/About-Us/About-Us-What-is-Project-Management.aspx. Accessed March 10, 2015.Google Scholar
14. Emory Healthcare. Emory Healthcare Ebola preparedness protocols. http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/ebola-protocol/pdf/ehc-evd-protocols.pdf. November 2014. Accessed February 28, 2015.Google Scholar
15. Edmond, MB, Diekema, DJ, Perencevich, EN. Ebola virus disease and the need for new personal protective equipment. JAMA. 2014;312(23):2495-2496. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.15497.Google ScholarPubMed
16. Riley, J. Reality check: most hospitals feel generally prepared for Ebola. The Advisory Board Company website. https://www.advisory.com/research/physician-executive-council/prescription-for-change/2014/10/reality-check-most-hospitals-feel-generally-prepared-for-ebola. Published October 27, 2015. Accessed February 20, 2015.Google Scholar
17. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44102/1/9789241597906_eng.pdf?ua=1. Published 2009. Accessed July 8, 2015.Google Scholar
18. Barsuk, JH, Barnard, C. Ebola: Are we ready? Web M&M: Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web. http://www.webmm.ahrq.gov/printviewCase.aspx?caseID=336. Published December 2014. Accessed February 20, 2015.Google Scholar
19. Gostin, LO, Hodge, JG Jr, Burris, S. Is the United States prepared for Ebola? JAMA. 2014;312(23):2497-2498. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.15041.Google ScholarPubMed
20. Mandl, KD. Ebola in the United States: EHRs as a public health tool at the point of care. JAMA. 2014;312(23):2499-2500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.15064.Google Scholar