A long-term care facility pandemic influenza preparedness planning assessment tool.
OBJECTIVE
To assess qualitative aspects of long-term care facility (LTCF) preparedness programs and to test the utility of a LTCF pandemic preparedness Tool.


METHODS
A Tool was developed and weighted with input from various subject matter experts.


METHODS
LTCFs.


METHODS
LTCF preparedness programs.


METHODS
A 61-question Tool was used in facilities.


METHODS
Prevalence of pandemic preparedness elements was assessed, and total Tool scores were calculated and graphed.


RESULTS
The Tool results were used to assess overall preparedness and specific preparedness measures in LTCFs. Results suggested that LTCFs that are engaged in planning are addressing many but not all key plan details. LTCFs scored better on plan elements rated as most important (eg, does the LTCF designate an individual in charge during a disaster?) than on all pooled plan elements. The LTCF preparedness Tool score correlated positively with both facility size and whether the facilities had exercised their plan.


CONCLUSIONS
Most LTCFs had developed a number of aspects of a preparedness program, but additional preparedness measures remain to be implemented. The LTCF should focus on the identified key plan elements and exercise their plan before a disaster occurs.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Philip W
PW
Smith
Keith
K
Hansen
Harlan
H
Sayles
Brendan
B
Brodersen
Sharon
S
Medcalf
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058873:Pandemics; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*