Stakeholders’ experiences with US hospital emergency preparedness: Part 1

Abstract

This study examined, via qualitative pheno­menology, important stakeholders’ experiences with US hospital emergency preparedness, finding that their experiences varied from positive and effective to frustrating, time-consuming and inefficient. The findings centred on four themes: the importance of funding; collaboration, communication and coordination; the government’s role; and hospital leadership buy-in. Together, these findings suggest that issues such as a lack of performance metrics, insufficient funding, inadequate surge capacity, confusing federal guidelines and accreditation requirements and an overall lack of coordination in hospitals’ abilities to manage emergency incidents continue to plague the US healthcare system. Exploring and understanding these experiences can support the field in maintaining elements that work and recognising and applying solutions to its shortcomings. This is the first of two papers on the subject, providing background on the topic, the study’s purpose, research design and a review of salient literature. The second paper, in a forthcoming issue of this journal, will examine the study’s methodological approach, data analysis, main results and implications for practice.