Preventing Absenteeism and Promoting Resilience Among Health Care Workers In Biological Emergencies

Lesperance, Ann M. ; Miller, James S.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Influenza;    Emergency Plans;    Recommendations;    Public Health;    29 Energy Planning, Policy And Economy;   

DOI  :  10.2172/974987
RP-ID  :  PNNL-18405
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  974987

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The ability to ensure adequate numbers of medical staff represents a crucial part of the medical response to any disaster. However, healthcare worker absenteeism during disasters, especially in the event of an attack of biological terrorism or an epidemic such as pandemic influenza, is a serious concern. Though a significant rate of absenteeism is often included as a baseline assumption in emergency planning, published reports on strategies to minimize absenteeism are comparatively few. This report documents interviews with managers and emergency response planners at hospitals and public health agencies and reviews existing survey data on healthcare worker absenteeism and studies of disasters to glean lessons about the needs of healthcare workers during those disasters. Based on this research, expected rates of absenteeism and individual determinants of absenteeism are presented along with recommendations of steps that hospitals, emergency medical services departments, public health organizations, and government agencies can take to meet the needs of healthcare workers and minimize absenteeism during a biological event.