Building a system for preparedness: the NYCEPCE NEST experience

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Education
• Emergency Management

Background:

• Clinician-focused continuing education was initially developed for the New York Presbyterian Healthcare System.
• Expansion to New York State and beyond necessitated a broader reach via a web-based platform.
• Supplemental funding enabled addressing connectivity challenges across public health sectors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance emergency preparedness competencies among clinicians.
• To ensure practice sites have robust emergency plans.
• To foster connectivity between practice sites and community-wide emergency plans.

Main Methods:

• Developed and expanded web-based continuing education courses.
• Utilized community health centers as a model to address planning and connectivity gaps.
• Promoted a common framework for planning, training, and practice across clinicians, practice sites, and communities.

Main Results:

• Identified the critical need for integrated planning across clinical, practice, and community levels.
• Demonstrated the potential for improved resource utilization and reduced duplication of efforts.
• Highlighted the importance of a unified approach for effective emergency response.

Conclusions:

• A common framework for emergency preparedness planning, training, and practice is essential for community resilience.
• Connectivity across all sectors of the public health community is a major challenge in emergency preparation.
• Integrating clinician competencies with practice site and community plans optimizes emergency response capacity.