June 10, 2009

Keck Center, Room 100

500 Fifth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Background:

The mission of HHS’s Hospital Preparedness Program is to enhance the ability of hospitals and healthcare systems to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. The United States constantly faces the real possibility of catastrophic public health incidents that could involve thousands, or tens of thousands, of patients. Therefore it is critically important for health systems to identify, plan, and prepare for the possibility of a mass-casualty incident. To help address these needs, the Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Medical and Public Health for Catastrophic Events is organizing a workshop around the topic of “medical surge capacity” that will help inform future guidance developed by HHS’s Healthcare Preparedness Program.

Audience:

Policy makers from federal agencies and state and local public health departments. Providers from the healthcare community, including relevant medical disciplines, nursing, emergency medical services (EMS). Healthcare and hospital administrators.

Objectives:

The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions focused on the following topics, including specific discussion of the role of the Hospital Preparedness Programs (HPP) in facilitating each of these efforts, specifically through guidance developed by the HPP.

• Definitions of medical surge that are applicable to local, state, territorial, tribal governments, and federal government entities;
• The capability and tools available to local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal government entities to assess the current status of preparedness to conduct medical surge operations;
  • Identify metrics that can be used to improve performance and preparedness for a mass-casualty incident; and
• Strategies to facilitate public- and private-sector work to improve surge capability for victims and the distressed, including new or modified guidance and legal and funding mechanisms.

For each area, current capabilities, perceived gaps, future opportunities and innovative options should be identified and discussed.

Note: Continental breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m.

June 11, 2009

Keck Center, Room 100 500 Fifth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Note: Continental breakfast will be available at 8:00 a.m.