Hospice Emergency Planning and COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health Preparedness
• Hospice Care

Background:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandates for Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP) intensified in 2017.
• The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges to healthcare continuity and emergency readiness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in hospice personnel's engagement in EPP before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify specific professional groups with varying levels of involvement in EPP.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was distributed to members of professional hospice organizations in the United States.
• Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to interpret the collected data.

Main Results:

• Pre-pandemic, 39.8% of respondents reported moderate to high involvement in EPP development; this rose to 59% post-pandemic.
• The increase in involvement was primarily driven by physicians, while Clinical Nurse and Nurse Practitioner engagement remained low.
• Around 30% of all respondents expressed a desire for increased involvement in EPP.

Conclusions:

• Hospice personnel's participation in EPP is diverse, with a notable increase in physician involvement since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A significant percentage of hospice staff seek greater engagement in all facets of Emergency Preparedness Planning.
• Further research is warranted to understand and optimize EPP involvement across disciplines in hospice settings.