Emergency Preparedness Planning Research Articles

Variations of the quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mortality rate of non-COVID-19 patients with hip fracture.

IntroductionAs COVID-19 roared through the world, governments worldwide enforced containment measures that affected various treatment pathways, including those for hip fractures (HFs). This study aimed to measure process and outcome indicators related to the quality of care provided to non-COVID-19 elderly patients affected by HF in Emilia-Romagna, a region of Italy severely hit by the pandemic.MethodsWe collected the hospital discharge records of all patients admitted to the hospitals of Emilia-Romagna with a diagnosis of HF from January to May in the years 2019 (pre-pandemic period) and 2020 (pandemic period). We analyzed surgery rate, surgery delays, length of hospital stay, timely rehabilitation, and 30-day mortality for each HF patient. We evaluated monthly data (2020 vs. 2019) with the chi-square and t-test, where appropriate. Logistic regression was used to investigate the differences in 30-day mortality.ResultsOur study included 5379 patients with HF. In April and May 2020, there was a significant increase in the proportion of HF patients that did not undergo timely surgery. In March 2020, we found a significant increase in mortality (OR = 2.22). Male sex (OR = 1.92), age ≥90 years (OR = 4.33), surgery after 48 hours (OR = 3.08) and not receiving surgery (OR = 6.19) were significantly associated with increased mortality. After adjusting for the aforementioned factors, patients hospitalized in March 2020 still suffered higher mortality (OR = 2.21).ConclusionsThere was a reduction in the overall quality of care provided to non-COVID-19 elderly patients affected by HF, whose mortality increased in March 2020. Patients’ characteristics and variations in processes of care partially explained this increase. Policymakers and professionals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients should be aware of the needs of patients with other health needs, which should be carefully investigated and included in future emergency preparedness and response plans.

Immunization data quality and decision making in pertussis outbreak management in southern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the quality of immunization data and monitoring systems in the Dara Malo District (Woreda) of the Gamo Administrative Zone, within the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from August 4 to September 27, 2019, in Dara Malo District. The district was purposively selected during the management of a pertussis outbreak, based on a hypothesis of ‘there is no difference in reported and recounted immunization status of children 7 to 23 months in Dara Malo District of Ethiopia’. The study used the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Data Quality Self-Assessment (DQS) tools. The accuracy ratio was determined using data from routine Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) and household surveys. Facility data spanning the course of 336 months were abstracted from EPI registers, tally sheets, and monthly routine reports. In addition, household surveys collected data from caretakers, immunization cards, or oral reports. Trained DQS assessors collected the data to explore the quality of monitoring systems at health posts, health centers, and at the district health office level. A quality index (QI) and proportions of completeness, timeliness, and accuracy ratio of the first and third doses of pentavalent vaccines and the first dose of measles-containing vaccines (MCV) were formulated.ResultsIn this study, facility data spanning 336 months were extracted. In addition, 595 children aged 7 to 23 months, with a response rate of 94.3% were assessed and compared for immunization status, using register and immunization cards or caretakers’ oral reports through the household survey. At the district level, the proportion of the re-counted vaccination data on EPI registers for first dose pentavalent was 95.20%, three doses of pentavalent were 104.2% and the first dose of measles was 98.6%. However, the ratio of vaccination data compared using tallies against the reports showed evidence of overreporting with 50.8%, 45.1%, and 46.5% for first pentavalent, third pentavalent, and the first dose of measles vaccinations, respectively. The completeness of the third dose of pentavalent vaccinations was 95.3%, 95.6%, and 100.0% at health posts, health centers, and the district health office, respectively. The timeliness of the immunization reports was 56.5% and 64.6% at health posts and health centers, respectively, while the district health office does not have timely submitted on time to the next higher level for twelve months. The QI scores ranged between 61.0% and 80.5% for all five categories, namely, 73.0% for recording, 71.4% for archiving and reporting, 70.4% for demographic information, 69.7% for core outputs, and 70.4% for data use and were assessed as suboptimal at all levels. The district health office had an emergency preparedness plan. However, pertussis was not on the list of anticipated outbreaks.ConclusionImmunization data completeness was found to be optimal. However, in the study area, the accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and quality of the monitoring system were found to be suboptimal. Therefore, poor data quality has led to incorrect decision making during the reported pertussis outbreak management. Availing essential supplies, including tally sheets, monitoring charts, and stock management tools, should be prioritized in Daro Malo District. Enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers on planning, recording, archiving, and reporting, analyzing, and using immunization data for evidence-based decision making is recommended. Improving the availability of recording and reporting tools is also likely to enhance the data accuracy and completeness of the community health information system. Adapting pertussis outbreak management guidelines and conducting regular data quality assessments with knowledge sharing events to all stakeholders is recommended.

Disaster Preparedness and Coping Among Older Adults: Empirical Analysis and Virtual Reality Platform Development

This symposium included 4 studies that use national and regional data to examine older adults’ disaster preparedness and coping. The first study examined age differences in preparedness for the continuation of COVID-19 with a sample of 443 residents in Dallas, TX. The findings highlight older adults’ resilience and special needs for different types of support during the pandemic. The second study examined the association of having COVID-19 and intergenerational relationships using the COVID-19 module of the Health and Retirement Study with a sample of 3266 respondents. Using a national sample of 1,467 respondents from the 2017 U.S. National Household Survey, the third study examined age differences relationships among the type of disasters (i.e., disasters with different lead-time), response efficacy, and disaster preparedness. The findings highlighted older adults’ unique vulnerability and resilience in different types of disasters. The fourth study discussed a pilot virtual reality platform under development to assist older adults to develop tailored household emergency preparedness plans and practice those plans with simulated extreme weather conditions and warnings for older adults to practice disaster response and develop relevant knowledge and skills as well as test and revise their emergency preparedness plans. Overall, this symposium emphasizes the uniqueness of older adults’ needs, vulnerability, and resilience to disasters.

Development of a Virtual Reality Platform to Promote Disaster Preparedness Among Older Adults

This project develops a tailored and adaptive virtual reality platform to innovatively promote older adults’ disaster preparation in a socially engaging environment. The platform serves the following purposes: 1) assist older adults to develop tailored household emergency preparedness plans, 2) simulate extreme weather conditions and warnings for older adults to practice disaster response and develop relevant knowledge and skills as well as test and revise their emergency preparedness plans, 3) use the process as a social engagement tool to reduce social isolation and promote a sense of community. The virtual environments are designed in Unity to simulate extreme weather conditions/natural disasters and older adults are guided to use the HTC VR headset and experience the selected disaster scenario. The pilot VR platform will be tested among community-dwelling older adults in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Difficulties faced by older Rohingya (forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals) adults in accessing medical services amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

BackgroundCOVID-19 has seriously disrupted health services in many countries including Bangladesh. This research aimed to explore whether Rohingya (forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals) older adults in Bangladesh faced difficulties accessing medicines...

Hospital Pharmacy Preparedness and Pharmacist Role During Disaster in Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundIn case of emergencies, the number and severity of mass casualties may exceed medical services resources. Saudi Arabia is prone to different disasters, and all medical resources should be ready and prepared to serve during disasters. Pharmacists are essential during disasters; however, their roles have not been well studied during disasters in Saudi Arabia.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study targeted tertiary hospitals in Jeddah. An electronic survey, consisting of 34 questions, was developed and distributed to pharmacy directors or their representatives to investigate the hospital pharmacies’ preparedness and pharmacist roles during disasters in the city of Jeddah.ResultsSix hospitals participated in the survey, with a 100% response rate. All respondents confirmed the presence of disaster plans involving pharmacy departments. Hospital committee consensuses determined which medication to stock in five hospitals (83.3%). All six respondents (100%) agreed that the following medication supplies were adequate in the event of disasters: analgesics, rapid sequence intubation medications (ie, sedatives and paralytics), respiratory medications, antimicrobials, and maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids. There was disagreement on the adequacy of wound infection prophylaxis, vasopressors/inotropes, antiemetic medications, ophthalmic medications, and antidotes for chemical weapons. There were discrepancies on pharmacist roles during disaster, but hospitals agreed on the following roles: maintain effective distribution and control, collaborate on medication management, and develop and maintain first-aid skills.ConclusionAll included facilities have emergency preparedness plans for the hospitals and the pharmacy departments. However, the type and quantities of stocked medications, as well as pharmacist roles, are not well recognized. The results highlight the need for national guidance to enhance and support the preparedness of healthcare facilities.

Perceived Change in Tobacco Use and Its Associated Factors among Older Adults Residing in Rohingya Refugee Camps during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh.

This study explored the perceived change in tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among older adults residing in Rohingya refugee camps, also referred to as Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh. The study followed a cross-sectional design and was conducted in October 2020 among 416 older adults aged 60 years and above. A purposive sampling technique was applied to identify eligible participants, and face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire to collect the data. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Binary logistic regression models determined the factors associated with the perceived change in tobacco use. More than one in five participants (22.4%) were current tobacco users, of whom 40.8% reported a perceived increase in tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusted analysis revealed that participants who were concerned about COVID-19 had significantly (p < 0.05) lower odds of perceived increase in tobacco use (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.73), while older adults who were overwhelmed by COVID-19 (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.06–1.18) and communicated less frequently with others during the pandemic than before (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.03–1.20) had marginally significantly (p < 0.1) lower odds of perceived increase in tobacco use during this pandemic. Relevant stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness-raising initiatives as part of an emergency preparedness plan to control tobacco use during such a crisis period.

Economic evaluation using dynamic transition modeling of ebola virus vaccination in lower-and-middle-income countries

Background With the increasing occurrence of infectious diseases in lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), emergency preparedness is essential for rapid response and mitigation. Economic evaluations of mitigation technologies and strategies have been recommended for inclusion in emergency preparedness plans. We aimed to perform an economic evaluation using dynamic transition modeling of ebola virus disease (EVD) vaccination in a hypothetical community of 1,000 persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Method Using a modified SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered, with Death added [SEIR-D]) model that accounted for death and epidemiological data from an EVD outbreak in the DRC, we modeled the transmission of EVD in a hypothetical population of 1,000. With our model, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of an EVD vaccine and an EVD vaccination intervention. Results The results showed vaccinating 50% of the population at risk prevented 670 cases, 538 deaths, and 22,022 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The vaccine was found to be cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $95.63 per DALY averted. We also determined the minimum required vaccination coverage for cost-effectiveness to be 40%. Sensitivity analysis showed our model to be fairly robust, assuring relatively consistent results even with variations in such input parameters as cost of screening, as well as transmission, infection, incubation, and case fatality rates. Conclusion EVD vaccination in our hypothetical population was found to be cost-effective from the payer perspective. Our model presents an efficient and reliable approach for conducting economic evaluations of infectious disease interventions as part of an emergency preparedness plan.

Preparing for COVID-19: Household food insecurity and vulnerability to shocks in Nairobi, Kenya.

An understanding of the types of shocks that disrupt and negatively impact urban household food security is of critical importance to develop relevant and targeted food security emergency preparedness policies and responses, a fact magnified by the current COVID-19 pandemic. This gap is addressed by the current study which draws from the Hungry Cities Partnership (HCP) city-wide household food insecurity survey of Nairobi city in Kenya. It uses both descriptive statistics and multilevel modelling using General Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to examine the relationship between household food security and 16 different shocks experienced in the six months prior to the administration of the survey. The findings showed that only 29% of surveyed households were completely food secure. Of those experiencing some level of food insecurity, more experienced economic (55%) than sociopolitical (16%) and biophysical (10%) shocks. Economic shocks such as food price increases, loss of employment, and reduced income were all associated with increased food insecurity. Coupled with the lack of functioning social safety nets in Nairobi, households experiencing shocks and emergencies experience serious food insecurity and related health effects. In this context, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a major negative economic impact on many vulnerable urban households. As such, there is need for new policies on urban food emergencies with a clear emergency preparedness plan for responding to major economic and other shocks that target the most vulnerable.

Impact of COVID-19 epidemic on Lombardy’s prisons (Italy): transmission and measure of prevention

Abstract Background Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific community highlighted the potential risk of epidemics occurring inside prisons. Consequently, specific operational guidelines were promptly released and stringent containment measures quickly implemented, including access restriction to essential staff only. During the 2nd epidemic wave prevention strategies were gradually relaxed, visitors were readmitted and people in prison (PiP) activities were repristinated. Here, we describe the spread of COVID-19 in 18 detention facilities in Lombardy region, Italy, during the 1st(Mar-Jul 2020) and 2nd(Oct 2020-Feb 2021) waves and the impact of prevention and control measures implemented in prison. Methods We conducted a descriptive retrospective analysis of cases' distribution. Moreover, a comparison among the epidemic burden affecting POs and PiP and a correlation analysis between the number of cases occurred and prevention measures implemented were carried out. Results Our population consists of a monthly average of 2269 prison officers (POs) and 7604 PiP. POs were at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 during both waves. Occurrence of cases among PiP was temporally associated with cases among POs. There was heterogeneity in the size of outbreaks across different prison facilities. During the second wave, COVID-19 spread more widely in prison both among POs (2ndwave attack rate (AR) per 1000 individuals: 27.2; monthly range (MR): 0.9-64.5 vs 1stwave AR 2.4; MR: 0.0-12.1) and PiP (2ndwave AR: 23.5; MR: 11.6-50.8 vs 1stwave AR 1.6; MR: 0-5.2). Conclusions Prevention and control measures adopted timely during the first wave were effective to limit Sars-CoV-2 spread within prison facilities. According to our findings, POs and PiP are population groups at high risk for acquiring and transmitting COVID-19 and should be prioritized for testing, active case finding and vaccination. This study highlights the importance of including prison settings within emergency preparedness plans. Key messages Stringent prevention and control measures when adopted timely were effective to protect detention facilities from Sars-CoV-2 spread. Our study, reporting the burden of COVID-19 epidemic experienced by prison of Lombardy, Italy, highlights the importance of including prison settings within emergency preparedness plans.

Learning from the pandemic, and getting ready for the next one

Abstract Covid-19 has shown us that most countries were not focusing their emergency preparedness plans in the correct direction. Covid-19 is a long-term health event, with serious impact on so many different sectors. Preparedness plans were conceived only for health events that are more explosive in initiation and resolution. Governments of a wide range of levels of competency, and covering much of the political spectrum, all failed to address the pandemic effectively, both from the health point of view and from the social point of view. So, what can we learn from our successes and from our failures? In a ‘learning from this pandemic’ round, we ask all panellists to reflect on the successes and failures (each 5 minutes). In a second round, we will be asking the panellists for their ideas on how to be better prepared for future pandemics. The final 5 minutes are for the next generation of public health professionals, summarizing the ‘take home’ messages. Speakers: Andrea Ammon European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Sandra Gallina Health and Food Safety, European Commission Michael Edelstein EUPHA-ICD Laura de la Torre Pérez Specialist in Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Avoiding isolation: Physical activity for persons with disabilities and Covid-19

It was aimed in this article to draw attention to the following issues: the importance of issuing guidelines on what countries can or should do in order for individuals with disabilities to maintain their daily exercises or physical activity routines, and informing the public about it; the importance of considering the needs of a person with disabilities in emergency preparedness and response plans of the countries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; the importance of the dissemination of public health messages in plain language and accessible formats through all mass media channels; the importance of providing psychosocial support to persons with disabilities and their families; and, the importance of strengthening support networks for persons with disabilities. In the research, the literature on Covid-19 and physical activity in disabilities published in 2020 was scanned via Pubmed and Google Scholar, and the study was designed as a review. Analysis of the related literature showed that it is important to develop a habit of performing regular physical activity in disabilities and to continue these activities especially during the pandemic period. In this review, persons with disabilities should be informed about what they can or should do to maintain their daily exercise or physical activity routines.

Adaptations to practice and resilience in a paediatric major trauma centre during a mass casualty incident

BackgroundInnovation and human adaptation in the face of unfolding catastrophe is the cornerstone of an effective systemwide response. Capturing, analysing, and disseminating this is fundamental in developing resilience for future events. The aim of this study was to understand the characteristics of adaptations to practice early in a paediatric major trauma centre during a mass casualty incident. MethodsA qualitative interview study of 40 healthcare staff at a paediatric major trauma centre in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist bombing was conducted. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used, followed by a deductive analysis of the identified adaptations informed by constructs of resilience engineering. ResultsFive themes of adaptations to practice that enhanced the resilient performance of the hospital were identified: teamworking; psychologically supporting patients, families, and staff; reconfiguring infrastructure; working around the hospital electronic systems; and maintaining hospital safety. Examples of resilience potential in terms of respond, monitor, anticipate, and learn are presented. ConclusionsOur study shows how adaptations to practice sustained the resilient performance of a paediatric major trauma centre during a mass casualty incident. Rapid, early capture of these data during a mass casualty incident provides key insights into enhancing future emergency preparedness, response, and resilience planning.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Planning and Response: A Tale of 2 Health Workforce Estimator Tools.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly progressed throughout the United States, increased demand for health workers required health workforce data and tools to aid planning and response at local, state, and national levels. We describe the development of 2 estimator tools designed to inform health workforce planning for COVID-19. We estimated supply and demand for intensivists, critical care nurses, hospitalists, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists, using Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projections for COVID-19 hospital care and National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System, American Hospital Association, and Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupation Employment Statistics for workforce supply. We estimated contact tracing workforce needs using Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 case counts and workload parameters based on expert advice. The State Hospital Workforce Deficit Estimator estimated the sufficiency of state hospital-based clinicians to meet projected COVID-19 demand. The Contact Tracing Workforce Estimator calculated the workforce needed based on the 14-day COVID-19 caseload at county, state, and the national level, allowing users to adjust workload parameters to reflect local contexts. The 2 estimators illustrate the value of integrating health workforce data and analysis with pandemic response planning. The many unknowns associated with COVID-19 required tools to be flexible, allowing users to change assumptions on number of contacts and work capacity. Data limitations were a challenge for both estimators, highlighting the need to invest in health workforce data and data infrastructure as part of future emergency preparedness planning.

The EU Response to COVID-19: From Reactive Policies to Strategic Decision-Making.

The EU Response to COVID-19: From Reactive Policies to Strategic Decision-Making.

Hospice Emergency Planning and COVID-19.

Objectives: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements for Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP) by hospice organizations significantly increased in 2017. This study seeks to assess the involvement of various hospice personnel in EPP before and since the onset of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A link to an anonymous online survey was sent to members of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, targeting members involved in hospice care in the United States. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Results: Prior to the pandemic, 39.8% of respondents were "moderately" or "very" involved with the development and revisions of the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Since the beginning of the pandemic, this increased to 59%, which largely occurred among physicians. Clinical Nurse and Nurse Practitioner involvement in development/revisions remained low. Approximately 30% of respondents desired more involvement across the areas of EPP. Conclusion: The involvement of personnel of various disciplines is varied and the involvement of physicians appears to have increased with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A notable portion of personnel desired more involvement across all aspects of EPP. More research is needed in this important but little-understood area.

Role Of Volunteers Developing Social Responsibility During An Outbreak Of Epidemic Diseases

Citizens often play vital roles in helping those affected to respond and recover, and can provide invaluable assistance to official agencies. However, in most developed countries, emergency and disaster management relies largely on a workforce of professionals and, to varying degrees, volunteers affiliated with official agencies. Those who work outside of such systems have tended to be viewed as a nuisance or liability, and their efforts are often undervalued. Given increasing disaster risk worldwide due to population growth, urban development and climate change, it is likely that ‘informal’ volunteers will provide much of the additional surge capacity required to respond to more frequent emergencies and disasters in the future. There is a need for stronger advocacy for all-hazard emergency preparedness actors, plans, and processes to recognize that pandemic is one of the risks that needs to be included. Service to the natural calamity affected people is expected from the NSS volunteers. During times of floods, earthquake, storms, epidemics, famine the following should be done by the NSS volunteers.

Role of Volunteers Developing Social Responsibility During an Outbreak of Epidemic Diseases

Citizens often play vital roles in helping those affected to respond and recover, and can provide invaluable assistance to official agencies. However, in most developed countries, emergency and disaster management relies largely on a workforce of professionals and, to varying degrees, volunteers affiliated with official agencies. Those who work outside of such systems have tended to be viewed as a nuisance or liability, and their efforts are often undervalued. Given increasing disaster risk worldwide due to population growth, urban development and climate change, it is likely that ‘informal’ volunteers will provide much of the additional surge capacity required to respond to more frequent emergencies and disasters in the future. There is a need for stronger advocacy for all-hazard emergency preparedness actors, plans, and processes to recognize that pandemic is one of the risks that needs to be included. Service to the natural calamity affected people is expected from the NSS volunteers. During times of floods, earthquake, storms, epidemics, famine the following should be done by the NSS volunteers.

‘Scrambling to figure out what to do’: a mixed method analysis of COVID-19’s impact on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States

ObjectiveA weak and politicised COVID-19 pandemic response in the United States (US) that failed to prioritise sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) overlaid longstanding SRHR inequities. In this study...

Crisis Leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review to Inform Policymaking

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented stress on health care systems worldwide. The global scale of the outbreak and its unpredictable nature has put a significant leadership burden on health care leaders and decision-makers. Predefined emergency preparedness plans are no longer working. Evidence-based guidelines and crisis communication plans are insufficient. There is an increased amount of pandemic fatigue among the general population. Businesses are suffering. A financial crisis is looming. Health systems leaders need new leadership behaviors and mindsets to help them lead during the next phases of this dynamic crisis as well as in future pandemics. Despite a proliferation of perspectives on the topic, given the novelty of the situation there is no aggregated resource distilling the evidence about how to lead under crisis conditions. Objective: The aim of this paper is to systematically examine evidence from research on public health crisis leadership to determine what competencies are explicitly needed to better respond to pandemics like COVID-19. Specifically, we sought to map and assess published studies on pandemics (a) to characterize core competencies required to lead in the health sector during a pandemic, and (b) to identify contextual enablers and barriers to leading during a crisis. Methods: We conducted a rapid review using the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005), the World Health Organization Rapid Review Guide, and the Joanna Briggs Institute 2020 guide to scoping reviews (Peters et al., 2020; Tricco et al., 2017). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) guided our reporting of study findings. Data Sources: We performed a systematic and comprehensive search of MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE, PsycINFO, Business Source Premier, and Canadian Business & Current Affairs for studies published between 2003 (since SARS) and July 28, 2020. Study Selection, Extraction, and Synthesis: We selected all empirical articles (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) that discussed crisis leadership during a pandemic. Data Synthesis: The literature search identified 8,044 citations. A review of abstracts led to the retrieval of 749 full-text articles for assessment, of which 30 were selected for review. Conclusions: Our findings show that crisis leadership competencies commonly fall under three categories of leadership capacity: task, people, and adaptive. In pandemic-related leadership literature, task-related behaviors such as preparing and planning, establishing collaborations, and crisis communication often receive more attention. Our analysis revealed that during a crisis, people-oriented capacities and adaptive capacities are equally important for leaders to successfully lead in a dynamic situation shaped by structural, political, and cultural contextual factors.