Personal protective equipment use and allocation in home health during disasters

Home health preparedness for disasters is imperative, including the need to identify essential resources to protect home health professionals from exposure during an event. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) is expected to be limited during a disaster, and PPE distribution and allocation needs to be prearranged to minimize infection transmission risk. This article outlines the appropriate use and allocation of PPE for home health agencies as part of disaster planning.

A literature review and Internet search were conducted in July-August 2010. A spreadsheet was created delineating the best practices related to PPE use and allocation identified by each source. Recommendations were divided into themes/domains for simplification and clarity.

A total of 46 articles, planning documents/reports, and Web-based training programs were identified and screened. Of these, 28 were deemed relevant, including 12 journal articles and 16 published reports, book chapters, planning documents, or training programs. Themes for PPE use and allocation in home health during disasters in the literature included identifying the types of PPE used in home health, determining PPE needs, storing PPE, allocating PPE when resources are limited or depleted, disposing of PPEl, and educating staff.

Having access to the correct types and quantities of PPE during a disaster will be essential to home health agencies. The information presented in this article can assist home health agencies in developing emergency management plans that address planning issues related to PPE.