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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: a 2007 survey of infection control professionals
Terri Rebmann1, Rita Wilson, Sue LaPointe
1Institute of Biosecurity, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, St. Louis University, School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. rebmannt@slu.edu
Background:
Hospital preparedness for infectious disease emergencies is imperative.
Methods:
A 40-item hospital preparedness survey was administered to Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc, members. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate the relationship between hospital size and emergency preparedness in relation to various surge capacity measures. Significant findings were followed by Mann-Whitney U post hoc tests.
Results:
Most hospitals have an infection control professional on their disaster committee, 24/7 infection control support, a health care worker prioritization plan for vaccine or antivirals, and nonhealth care facility surge beds but lack health care worker, laboratory, linen, and negative-pressure room surge capacity. Many hospitals participated in a disaster exercise recently and are stockpiling N95 respirators and medications. Few are stockpiling ventilators, surgical masks, or patient linens; those that are have
Conclusion:
US hospitals lack laboratory, negative-pressure room, health care worker, and medical equipment/supplies surge capacity. Hospitals must continue to address gaps in infectious disease emergency planning.
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