Emergency Childcare for Hospital Workers During Disasters
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Published on: April 7, 2023
Rachel L Charney1, Terri Rebmann, Robert G Flood
1From the *Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and †Institute for Biosecurity, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO.
Insights
Healthcare workers anticipate needing emergency childcare (EC) during disasters, with pandemic scenarios impacting work decisions more than earthquakes. Many lack existing EC plans, highlighting the need for hospital-provided solutions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Disaster Preparedness
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Healthcare workers' ability to work during emergencies is crucial.
- Childcare needs significantly impact workforce availability during disasters.
- Hospital preparedness plans often overlook essential support services like emergency childcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of emergency childcare needs on healthcare workers' (HCWs) work decisions during pandemic versus earthquake scenarios.
- To determine the anticipated need and expected utilization of on-site, hospital-provided emergency childcare programs.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to employees of an academic, urban pediatric hospital.
- Two disaster scenarios (pandemic influenza, earthquake) were presented to gauge impact on work decisions and childcare needs.
- Data collected included ability to work, planned use of proposed emergency childcare, and child demographics.
Main Results:
- Childcare needs were reported to affect work decisions more during a pandemic (61.1%) than an earthquake (56.0%).
- A significant portion of HCWs needing emergency childcare (n=257) lacked a plan (only 28.0% had one).
- Need for and anticipated use of emergency childcare was higher during unscheduled (63.0%) versus scheduled (40.7%) shifts.
Conclusions:
- Hospital employees show a high demand for on-site emergency childcare services.
- Integrating emergency childcare provisions into hospital disaster planning is essential for maintaining workforce continuity.
Objectives:
The objectives were to determine the impact of emergency childcare (EC) needs on health care workers' ability and likelihood to work during a pandemic versus an earthquake as well as to determine the anticipated need and expected use of an on-site, hospital-provided EC program.
Methods:
An online survey was distributed to all employees of an academic, urban pediatric hospital. Two disaster scenarios were presented (pandemic influenza and earthquake). Ability to work based on childcare needs, planned use of proposed hospital-provided EC, and demographics of children being brought in were obtained.
Results:
A total of 685 employees participated (96.6% female, 79.6% white), with a 40% response rate. Those with children (n = 307) reported that childcare needs would affect their work decisions during a pandemic more than an earthquake (61.1% vs 56.0%; t = 3.7; P < 0.001). Only 28.0% (n = 80) of those who would need childcare (n = 257) report an EC plan. The scenario did not impact EC need or planned use; during scheduled versus unscheduled shifts, 40.7% versus 63.0% reported need for EC, and 50.8% versus 63.2% reported anticipated using EC.
Conclusions:
Hospital workers have a high anticipated use of hospital-provided EC. Provisions for EC should be an integral part of hospital disaster planning.
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