Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.

Bruria Adini,Walter Biederbick,Helene Schaefer,Reinhard Brodt,Jã¶Rg Schempf,Julia Sasse,Rene Gottschalk,Daniel Laor,Luzie Verbeek,Boris Bã¶Ddinghaus,Boaz Lev,Stefan Schilling,Kathrin Pientka,Christian Wegner,Susanna Trapp

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035

Abstract

Objective: Effective response to biological events necessitates ongoing evaluation of preparedness. This study was a bilateral German–Israeli collaboration aimed at developing an evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.Methods: Measurable parameters were identified through a literature review for inclusion in the evaluation tool and disseminated to 228 content experts in two modified Delphi cycles. Focus groups were conducted to identify psychosocial needs of the medical teams. Table-top and functional exercises were implemented to review applicability of the tool.Results: One hundred seventeen experts from Germany and Israel participated in the modified Delphi. Out of 188 parameters that were identified, 183 achieved a consensus of >75% of the content experts. Following comments recommended in the Delphi cycles, and feedback from focus groups and hospital exercises, the final tool consisted of 172 parameters. Median level of importance of each parameter was calculated based on ranking recommended in the Delphi process. Computerized web-based software was developed to calculate scores of preparedness for biological events.Conclusion: Ongoing evaluation means, such as the tool developed in the study, can facilitate the need for a valid and reliable mechanism that may be widely adopted and implemented as quality assurance measures. The tool is based on measurable parameters and indicators that can effectively present strengths and weaknesses in managing a response to a public health threat, and accordingly, steps can be implemented to improve readiness. Adoption of such a tool is an important component of assuring public health and effective emergency management.

Highlights

Biological agents do not recognize borders [1] and often spread across continents, causing great concern to governments and the public [2]
The components were classified to categories relevant to manage biological events, and were transformed into measurable parameters that can be integrated in an evaluation tool
The desired level of consensus (≥75%) was achieved for most of the parameters; after the first round 176 out of 188 parameters were rated by more than 75% of the content experts for inclusion in the evaluation tool

Summary

Introduction

BACKGROUND Biological agents do not recognize borders [1] and often spread across continents, causing great concern to governments and the public [2]. The various outbreaks that occurred in the past decade such as the severe acute respiratory [3], the avian flu [4], the A/H1N1 pandemic [5], as well as the potential threat of bioterror events, emphasize the need for countries to work together to combat public health crises. The increased risk of world-wide infectious disease spread has led to the understanding that a regional and even global response is needed [7]. Inter-country and global collaboration is orchestrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) through the revised International Health Regulations [7, 8]. WHO promotes the following main components in planning and managing public health events: ongoing surveillance of mortality and morbidity; early detection of unexpected, potential internationally spreading biological events; and, continuous assessment of emergency preparedness [8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion