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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).
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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 

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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.

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