Pennsylvania statewide hospital readiness assessment: Improvement in public health emergency preparedness, 2002 to 2007

Background: Public health emergency readiness requires data, but hospital-based data are lacking and related longitudinal studies of healthcare systems are virtually nonexistent. In 2007, Drexel University's Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication (CPHRC), under contract to Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH), assessed statewide public health readiness, including members of the Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), comparing results to a 2002 HAP survey.

Methods: CPHRC surveyed all 167 HAP members using an online survey tool. Based on the prior survey and 2005 DHHS Target Capabilities Guidance, 50 questions related to emergency capability were asked in both surveys, in five topical areas, plus 15 questions about both recent and planned readiness-related expenditures.

Results: Response rates were 157 of 167 in 2007 (94%), 208 of 208 in 2002 (100%). Hospitals reported significant improvements for 36 of 50 (72%) emergency capability questions in 2007 versus 2002, in all 5 topical areas, including for 10 of 18 questions regarding emergency planning; for 14 of 16 training and drills questions; for 9 of 9 detection and response questions; for 2 of 6 emergency equipment and supplies questions; and 1 of 1 command and communications questions. Conversely, hospitals reported decreased expenditures from 2002 to 2007 for all 15 related questions.

Conclusions: Five years after the 2002 survey, HAP hospitals report significant improvements in public health emergency response capabilities, while readiness-related expenditures have decreased. To maintain or improve readiness capabilities while expenditures decline is a health policy challenge.