Function and response of nursing facilities during community disaster.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to describe the role and function of nursing facilities after disaster.


METHODS
We surveyed administrators at 144 widely dispersed nursing facilities after the Los Angeles Northridge earthquake.


RESULTS
Of the 113 (78%) nursing facilities that responded (11 365 beds), 23 sustained severe damage, 5 closed (625 beds), and 72 lost vital services. Of 87 nursing facilities implementing disaster plans, 56 cited problems that plans did not adequately address, including absent staff, communication problems, and insufficient water and generator fuel. Fifty-nine (52%) reported disaster-related admissions from hospitals, nursing facilities, and community residences. Nursing facilities received limited postdisaster assistance. Five months after the earthquake, only half of inadequate nursing facility disaster plans had been revised.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite considerable disaster-related stresses, nursing facilities met important community needs. To optimize disaster response, community-wide disaster plans should incorporate nursing facilities.
Saliba
Debra
D
Health Services Research and Development, Veteran Administration Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, CA, USA. saliba@rand.org
Buchanan
Joan
J
Kington
Raynard S
RS
D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005544:Forecasting; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration