The performance-level model of hospital decontamination preparedness.
OBJECTIVE
Describe a multilevel model of decontamination capacity for hospitals.


METHODS
Descriptive model.


METHODS
Acute care hospitals with decontamination responsibilities.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
This multilevel model of defining decontamination capacity would allow more realistic assessment of current capacity, allow for fluctuating service levels depending on time of day, incorporate realistic ramp-up and ramp-down of decontamination services, allow for a defined fall-back decontamination model should decontamination processes fail, allow hospitals to define long-term decontamination service level goals, and allow better understanding of when and why to focus on low-risk/low-resource patients rather than high-risk/high-resource patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This multiple-level model would allow for more realistic and effective hospital-based decontamination service models and should become part of the national decontamination paradigm.
Phelps
Scot
S
Department of Public Health, School of Health and Human Services, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, USA.
Doering
Garrett
G
D003666:Decontamination / Q000592:standards*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000592:standards*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000592:standards*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D023481:Terrorism