Assessing surge capacity expansion plan awareness and attitudes: A survey of Connecticut hospitals

Abstract

This study aimed to ascertain levels of awareness and attitudes of
healthcare professionals within four hospital personnel categories,
regarding their facility’s surge capacity expansion plan. The
exploratory descriptive study used a 14-question electronic survey
to collect data from hospital personnel in four labour categories.
A total of 292 hospital staff from 32 Connecticut hospitals
completed the survey, including executive staff, mid-level
management staff, incident command hospital staff and emergency
planning contacts. The strongest levels of agreement were found to
be: the need for an emergency planning contact, understanding surge
expansion roles and responsibilities, and provision of enhanced
training and heightened participation in drills and exercises.
Statistical significance was found when comparing hospital
personnel categories in seven of the 14 survey questions that
related to time at hospital, understanding personal role in surge
event, understanding staff role in surge event, participating in
events to increase surge awareness, understanding alternative care
facility roles and responsibilities, understanding incident command
system (ICS) roles and responsibilities and the need for ICS
training. Findings demonstrate that some personnel perceive that
their institutions are sub-optimally prepared to expand surge
capacity. Education and training are important factors that
contribute to improving these perceptions and help guide
institutional preparedness and response efforts.