Conceptualization of a Health Care Coalition Framework in Georgia Based on the Existing Regional Coordinating Hospital Infrastructure

Abstract

The watershed events of September 11, 2001; the anthrax attacks; Hurricane Katrina; and H1N1 necessitated that the United States define alternative mechanisms for disaster response. Specifically, there was a need to shift from a capacity building approach to a capabilities based approach that would place more emphasis on the health care community rather than just first responders. Georgia responded to this initiative by creating a Regional Coordinating Hospital (RCH) infrastructure that was responsible for coordinating regional responses within their individual geographic footprint. However, it was quickly realized that hospitals could not accomplish community-wide preparedness as a single entity and that siloed planning must come to an end. To reconcile this issue, Georgia responded to the 2012 US Department of Health and Human Services concept of coalitions. Georgia utilized the existing RCH boundaries to define its coalition regions and began inviting all medical and nonmedical response partners to the planning table (nursing homes, community health centers, volunteer groups, law enforcement, etc). This new collaboration effectively enhanced emergency response practices in Georgia, but also identified additional preparedness-related gaps that will require attention as our coalitions continue to grow and mature.

The Role of Veterinarians in Mass Casualty Disasters: A Continuing Need for Integration to Disaster Management

“…Waiting until the available medical resources are completely overwhelmed or exhausted is a dangerous proposal. The outcomes of failure to effectively integrate various community assets to disaster health care management can be seen in the inadequate responses to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the H1N1 pandemic influenza in 2009 ( 18 ). To address the root causes of these ineffective responses, health care coalitions were developed.…”

“…To address the root causes of these ineffective responses, health care coalitions were developed. Though individual health care coalitions vary in exactly which community assets are included, in general health care coalitions are “a group of health care organizations and public safety and public health partners that join forces for the common cause of making their communities safer, healthier, and more resilient” ( 18 ). The health care coalition is a logical integration point for veterinary assets to become more involved in disaster preparedness and response activities.…”

Expanding Understanding of Response Roles: An Examination of Immediate and First Responders in the United States

“…Perhaps the most advantageous way to become involved in exercises and be incorporated into the disaster response framework is through involvement in healthcare coalitions. Healthcare coalitions are made up of healthcare organizations, public safety officials, public health partners, private businesses, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens that work together to ensure communities are healthier, safer, and more resilient [ 31 ]. The beauty of coalitions is that they allow the emergency management community to pool together limited resources to conduct exercises and training while also being multidisciplinary and allowing for plan integration [ 31 ].…”

“…Healthcare coalitions are made up of healthcare organizations, public safety officials, public health partners, private businesses, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens that work together to ensure communities are healthier, safer, and more resilient [ 31 ]. The beauty of coalitions is that they allow the emergency management community to pool together limited resources to conduct exercises and training while also being multidisciplinary and allowing for plan integration [ 31 ]. The latter will prove to be extremely important as evidenced by the National Security Strategy outline by the Trump administration [ 32 ].…”