Pennsylvania statewide readiness assessment: A new tool to identify readiness capacity and capabilities through regional counter terrorism taskforces

Background: Public Health has faced challenges in recent years ranging from natural disasters to terrorism. A major challenge is a potential pandemic and how to prepare communities, states, regions and countries. The Drexel University Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication (CPHRC), under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH), worked with state Regional Counter Terrorism Taskforces to assess statewide capacity and capability of emergency readiness. Methods: Creating and using a new assessment tool, existing data from regional and local needs assessments within the State are being collected, analyzed and interpreted. Where no needs assessment exists, the CPHRC is conducting a readiness assessment. Among public health, health care and Emergency Medical Services, the survey emphasizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's seven Focus Areas, particularly Focus Area A – Preparedness Planning and Readiness Assessment. Results: Regions within the state have assessed readiness using a variety of methods, by a variety of professionals, and about a variety of aspects of readiness. The state regional task forces have varied significantly in their methodology of data collection and in data collected. The CPHRC is assessing public health manpower, healthcare system response and hospital preparedness. Conclusions: Standardized tools are useful to assess readiness within states and regions within states. Based on this needs assessment provided information, PADOH will review and identify ways to strengthen current capacity and capabilities of readiness. The new assessment tool will be presented.