An Analysis of Hospital Preparedness Capacity for Public Health Emergency in four Regions of China: Beijing, Shandong, Guangxi and Hainan

ABSTRACT

Background: Hospital preparedness is critical for the early detection and management of public health emergency (PHE). Understandig the current status of PHE preparedness is the first steep in planning to enhance hospitals capacities for emergency response. The objective of this study is to understand the current status of hospital PHE preparedness in China. Methods: Four hundred hospitals in four city and provinces of China were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Data related to hospital demographic data; PHE preparation; response to PHE in community; stockpiles of drugs and materials; detection and identification of PHE; procedures for medical treatment; laboratory diangnosis and management; staff training; and risk communication were collected and analyzed. Results: Valid responses were received from 318 (79.5%) of the 400 hospitals surveyed. Of the valid responses, 264 (85.2%) hospitals had emergency plans; 93.3% had command centres and personnel for PHE; 22.9% included community organisations during the training for PHE; 97.4% could transport needed medical staff to a PHE; 53.1% had evaluated stockpiles of drugs; 61.5% had evaluated their supply systems; 55.5% had developed surveillance systems; and 74.6% could monitor the abnormity (See appendix). Physicians in 80.2% of the analyzed hospitals reported up-to-date knowledge of their institutions PHE protocol. Of the 318 respondents, 97.4% followed strict laboratory regulations, however, only about 33.5% had protocols for suspected samples. Furthermore, only 59.0% could isolate and identify salmonella and staphylococcus and less than 5% could isolate and identify human H5NI avian flu and SARS. Staff training or drill programs were reported in 94.5% of the instituions; 50.3% periodically assessed the efficacy of staff training; 45% had experts to provide psychological counselling; 12.1% had provided training for their modical staff to assess PHE-related stress. All of the above capacities...