title: An Assessment of Collaboration and Disasters: A Hospital Perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no standard guidance for strategies for hospitals to use to coordinate with other agencies during a disaster.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzes successful strategies and barriers encountered by hospitals across the nation in coordinating and collaborating with other response agencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a web-based study from 577 acute care hospitals sampled from the 2013 American Hospital Association (AHA) database. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common barriers to collaboration are related to finances, ability to communicate, and personnel.
authors.affiliation: 1University of California,Los Angeles (UCLA),Fielding School of Public Health,Los Angeles,CaliforniaUSA.
authors.forename: Sabrina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adelaine
authors.affiliation: 2University of Utah,Division of Public Health,Salt Lake City,UtahUSA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shoaf
authors.affiliation: 1University of California,Los Angeles (UCLA),Fielding School of Public Health,Los Angeles,CaliforniaUSA.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
keywords: AHA American Hospital Association; ASPR Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; EMS Emergency Medical Services; FTE full-time employee; HHS Health & Human Services; HPP Hospital Preparedness Program; disaster; disaster planning; hospitals