Emergency Preparedness Training for Hospital Nursing Staff, New York City, 2012-2016.

PURPOSE: Many nurses are trained inadequately in emergency preparedness (EP), preventing them from effectively executing response roles during disasters, such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) events. Nurses also indicate lacking confidence in their abilities to perform EP activities. The purpose of this article is to describe the phased development of, and delivery strategies for, a CBRNE curriculum to enhance EP among nursing professionals. The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Earth Institute led the initiative. METHODS: Curriculum development included four phases. In Phases I and II, nursing staff at 20 participating NYC hospitals conducted 7,177 surveys and participated in 20 focus groups to identify training gaps in EP. In Phase III, investigators developed and later refined the CBRNE curriculum based on gaps identified. In Phase IV, 22 nurse educators (representing 7 of the original 20 participating hospitals) completed train-the-trainer sessions. Of these nurse educators, three were evaluated on their ability to train other nurses using the curriculum, which investigators finalized. FINDINGS: The CBRNE curriculum included six modules, a just-in-time training, and an online annual refresher course that addressed EP gaps identified in surveys and focus groups. Among the 11 nurses who were trained by three nurse educators during a pilot training, participant knowledge of CBRNE events and response roles increased from an average of 54% (range 45%-75%) on the pre-test to 89% (range 80%-90%) on the posttest. CONCLUSIONS: By participating in nursing CBRNE training, nurses increased their knowledge of and preparedness to respond to disasters. The train-the-trainer curriculum is easily adaptable to meet the needs of other healthcare settings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The CBRNE curriculum can be used to train nurses to better prepare for and more effectively respond to disasters.

Causes and Disparities in Death Rates Among Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, 1999-2009.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the leading causes of death for the urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and compare with urban White and rural AI/AN populations. METHODS: We linked Indian Health Service patient registration records with the National Death Index to reduce racial misclassification in death certificate data. We calculated age-adjusted urban AI/AN death rates for the period 1999-2009 and compared those with corresponding urban White and rural AI/AN death rates. RESULTS: The top-5 leading causes of death among urban AI/AN persons were heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, diabetes, and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Compared with urban White persons, urban AI/AN persons experienced significantly higher death rates for all top-5 leading causes. The largest disparities were for diabetes and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. In general, urban and rural AI/AN persons had the same leading causes of death, although urban AI/AN persons had lower death rates for most conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Urban AI/AN persons experience significant disparities in death rates compared with their White counterparts. Public health and clinical interventions should target urban AI/AN persons to address behaviors and conditions contributing to health disparities.

Rapid Patient Discharge Contribution to Bed Surge Capacity During a Mass Casualty Incident: Findings From an Exercise With New York City Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Mass casualty incidents may increase patient volume suddenly and dramatically, requiring hospitals to expeditiously manage bed inventories to release acute care beds for disaster victims. Electronic patient tracking systems combined with unit walk-throughs can identify patients for rapid discharge. The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's 2013 Rapid Patient Discharge Assessment (RPDA) aimed to determine the maximum number of beds NYC hospitals could make available through rapid patient discharge and to characterize discharge barriers. METHODS: Unit representatives identified discharge candidates within normal operations in round 1 and additional discharge candidates during a disaster scenario in round 2. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five NYC hospitals participated in the RPDA exercise; 45 provided discharge candidate counts in both rounds. Representatives identified 4225 patients through the RPDA: among these, 1138 (26.9%) were already confirmed for discharge; 1854 (43.9%) were round 1 discharge candidates; and 1233 (29.2%) were round 2 discharge candidates. These 4225 patients represented 21.4% of total bed capacity. Frequently reported barriers included missing prescriptions for aftercare or discharge orders. CONCLUSION: The NYC hospitals could implement rapid patient discharge to clear one-fifth of occupied inpatient beds for disaster victims, given they address barriers affecting patients' safe and efficient discharge.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake: Increase for American Indian Adolescents, 2013-2015.

INTRODUCTION: Although Indian Health Service, tribally-operated, and urban Indian (I/T/U) healthcare facilities have higher human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series initiation and completion rates among adolescent patients aged 13-17 years than the general U.S. population, challenges remain. I/T/U facilities have lower coverage for HPV vaccine first dose compared with coverage for other adolescent vaccines, and HPV vaccine series completion rates are lower than initiation rates. Researchers aimed to assist I/T/U facilities in identifying interventions to increase HPV vaccination series initiation and completion rates. STUDY DESIGN: Best practice and intervention I/T/U healthcare facilities were identified based on baseline adolescent HPV vaccine coverage data. Healthcare professionals were interviewed about barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination. Researchers used responses and evidence-based practices to identify and assist facilities in implementing interventions to increase adolescent HPV vaccine series initiation and completion. Coverage and interview data were collected from June 2013 to June 2015; data were analyzed in 2015. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: I/T/U healthcare facilities located within five Indian Health Service regions. INTERVENTION: Interventions included analyzing and providing feedback on facility vaccine coverage data, educating providers about HPV vaccine, expanding access to HPV vaccine, and establishing or expanding reminder recall and education efforts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Impact of evidence-based strategies and best practices to support HPV vaccination. RESULTS: Mean baseline first dose coverage with HPV vaccine at best practice facilities was 78% compared with 46% at intervention facilities. Mean third dose coverage was 48% at best practice facilities versus 19% at intervention facilities. Intervention facilities implemented multiple low-cost, evidence-based strategies and best practices to increase vaccine coverage. At baseline, most facilities used electronic provider reminders, had standing orders in place for administering HPV vaccine, and administered tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis and HPV vaccines during the same visit. At intervention sites, mean coverage for HPV initiation and completion increased by 24% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A tailored multifaceted approach addressing vaccine delivery processes and patient and provider education may increase HPV vaccine coverage.