Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-dnltx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T08:17:26.448Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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 

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.)

References

1. Daugherty, JD, Eiring, H, Blake, S, et al. Disaster preparedness in home health and personal-care agencies: are they ready? Gerontology. 2012;58(4):322-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000336032.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2. Phreaner, D, Jacoby, I, Dreier, S, et al. Disaster preparedness of home health care agencies in San Diego County. J Emerg Med. 1994;12(6):811-818. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(94)90489-8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Al-Rousan, TM, Rubenstein, LM, Wallace, RB. Preparedness for natural disasters among older US adults: a nationwide survey. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(3):506-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301559.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Dostal, PJ. Vulnerability of urban homebound older adults in disasters: a survey of evacuation preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2015;9(3):301-306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2015.50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Leftwich Beales, J, Edes, T. Veteran’s Affairs Home Based Primary Care. Clin Geriatr Med. 2009;25(1):149-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2008.11.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid participating providers and suppliers (CMS-3178-P). https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-30724. Published December 27, 2013. Accessed October 24, 2014.Google Scholar
7. National Association for Home Care and Hospice. Rule for emergency preparedness proposes significant expansion of home health, hospice duties. http://www.nahc.org/NAHCReport/nr140317_1/. Published March 18, 2014. Accessed April 26, 2016.Google Scholar
8. Claver, ML, Wyte-Lake, T, Dobalian, A. Disaster preparedness in home-based primary care: policy and training. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(4):337-343.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Wyte-Lake, T, Claver, M, Dobalian, A. Assessing patients’ disaster preparedness in home-based primary care. Gerontology. 2016;62(3):263-274. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000439168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10. Wyte-Lake, T, Claver, M, Griffin, A, et al. The role of the home-based provider in disaster preparedness of a vulnerable population. Gerontology. 2014;60(4):336-345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000355660.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Laditka, SB, Laditka, JN, Cornman, CB, et al. Disaster preparedness for vulnerable persons receiving in-home, long-term care in South Carolina. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2008;23(2):133-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X00005744.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice. 2008 Emergency Preparedness Packet for Home Health Agencies. Washington, DC: National Association for Home Care & Hospice; 2008.Google Scholar
13. Zane, R, Biddinger, P. Home Health Patient Assessment Tools: Preparing for Emergency Triage. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2011.Google Scholar
14. Wyte-Lake, T, Claver, M, Dalton, S, et al. Disaster planning for home health patients and providers: a literature review of best practices [published online January 27, 2015]. Home Health Care Manage Pract. doi: 10.1177/1084822314567536.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. The Joint Commission. Accreditation requirements. Emergency Management Standards. http://www.jcrinc.com/e-dition/. Accessed July 13, 2016.Google Scholar
16. Yamada, J, Shorkey, A, Barwick, M, et al. The effectiveness of toolkits as knowledge translation strategies for integrating evidence into clinical care: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2015;5(4):e006808. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006808.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. Tubbesing, S, Obal, L, Brazier, J, et al. Emergency preparedness for home based primary care senior veterans: lessons learned from previous experience. In: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors. New York: Springer; 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0665-9_4.Google Scholar
18. Aldrich, N, Benson, WF. Disaster preparedness and the chronic disease needs of vulnerable older adults. Prev Chronic Dis. 2008;5(1). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd//issues/2008/jan/07_0135.htm.Google ScholarPubMed
19. Ruder, S. Emergency preparedness for home healthcare providers. Home Healthc Nurse. 2012;30(6):355-362; quiz 363-354. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NHH.0b013e3182348a37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. Hunter Revell, SM, McCurry, MK. Postflood disaster management and the home health nurse: using theory to guide practice. J Community Health Nurs. 2010;27(3):126-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2010.494454.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. King, D. The puzzle of Fran: home healthcare in a hurricane. Home Healthc Nurse. 1998;16(10):679-685. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004045-199810000-00006.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22. Doherty, M. An emergency management model for home health care organizations. Home Health Care Manage Pract. 2004;16(5):374-382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1084822304264610.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Wyte-Lake supplementary material

Wyte-Lake supplementary material 1

Download Wyte-Lake supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 53.2 KB