This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sauer, L. M. Articles by Brewster, P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Sauer, L. M. Articles by Brewster, P.

Major Influences on Hospital Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Lauren M. Sauer, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 5801 Smith Ave, Davis Building, Suite 3220, Baltimore, MD 21209 (e-mail: Lsauer2{at}jhmi.edu).

The role of hospitals in the community response to disasters has received increased attention, particularly since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Hospitals must be prepared to respond to and recover from all-hazards emergencies and disasters. There have been several initiatives to guide hospitals’ role in these events and to assist hospitals in their effort to prepare for them. This article focuses on the efforts of 4 distinct groups: The Joint Commission (TJC), the executive branch of the US government, the US Congress, and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Despite the different approach each group uses to assist hospitals to improve their emergency management capabilities, the initiatives reinforce one another and have resulted in increased efforts by hospitals to improve their disaster preparedness and response capabilities and community integration. The continued progress of our medical response system in all-hazard emergencies and disasters depends in large part on the future guidance and support of these 4 key institutions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. H. Epstein, A. Ekbatani, J. Kaplan, R. Shechter, and Z. Grunwald Development of a Staff Recall System for Mass Casualty Incidents Using Cell Phone Text Messaging Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2010; 110(3): 871 - 878. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. D. Kelen and M. L. McCarthy Developing the science of health care emergency preparedness and response. Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness, June 1, 2009; 3(2 Suppl): S2 - S3. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. McCarthy, P. Brewster, E. B. Hsu, A. G. Macintyre, and G. D. Kelen Consensus and tools needed to measure health care emergency management capabilities. Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness, June 1, 2009; 3(2 Suppl): S45 - S51. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]