title: Optimizing Health Care Coalitions: Conceptual Frameworks and a Research Agenda.
abstract: The US health care system has maintained an objective of preparedness for natural or manmade catastrophic events as part of its larger charge to deliver health services for the American population. In 2002, support for hospital-based preparedness activities was bolstered by the creation of the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program, now called the Hospital Preparedness Program, in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Since 2012, this program has promoted linking health care facilities into health care coalitions that build key preparedness and emergency response capabilities. Recognizing that well-functioning health care coalitions can have a positive impact on the health outcomes of the populations they serve, this article informs efforts to optimize health care coalition activity. We first review the landscape of health care coalitions in the United States. Then, using principles from supply chain management and high-reliability organization theory, we present 2 frameworks extending beyond the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response's current guidance in a way that may help health care coalition leaders gain conceptual insight into how different enterprises achieve similar ends relevant to emergency response. We conclude with a proposed research agenda to advance understanding of how coalitions can contribute to the day-to-day functioning of health care systems and disaster preparedness.
authors.affiliation: 1US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hupert
authors.affiliation: 1US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Biala
authors.affiliation: 4Gap Solutions,Inc. (Contractor) supporting the US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: 5US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baehr
authors.affiliation: 1US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.affiliation: 1US Department of Health and Human Services,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,Washington,DC.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D006265:Health Care Coalitions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services / Q000639:trends
keywords: delivery of health care; disaster planning; emergency preparedness; health care coalitions