Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events

Medical Surge Capacity. Workshop Summary

Released: January 27, 2010
Type: Workshop Summary
Topic(s): Biomedical and Health Research, Public Health
Activity: Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events
Board(s): Board on Health Sciences Policy
Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.

During natural disasters, disease pandemics, terrorist attacks, and other public health emergencies, the health system must be prepared to accommodate a surge in the number of individuals seeking medical help. For the health community, a primary concern is how to provide care to individuals during such high demand, when the health system’s resources are exhausted and there are more patients than the system can accommodate.

The IOM’s Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events held a workshop June 10-11, 2009, to assess the capability of and tools available to federal, state, and local governments to respond to a medical surge. In addition, participants discussed strategies for the public and private sectors to improve preparedness for such a surge. The workshop brought together leaders in the medical and public health preparedness fields, including policy makers from federal agencies and state and local public health departments; providers from the health care community; and health care and hospital administrators. This document summarizes the workshop.


ActivityForum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events
Type: Forum
Topic(s): Biomedical and Health Research, Public Health
Board(s): Board on Health Sciences Policy

Activity News and AnnouncementsDisaster Experts Available to Respond to Health Inquiries From Officials Leading Relief and Recovery Efforts in Haiti
January 27, 2010
http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/MedPrep/Disaster-Experts-Available-to-Respond-to-Health-Inquiries.aspx

contents:
Some of the following IOM reports also include information that may be useful to those responding to the disaster in Haiti in the months and years to come.

1.Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2009/DisasterCareStandards.aspx

2. Dispensing Medical Countermeasures for Public Health Emergencies. Workshop Summary
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2008/Dispensing-Medical-Countermeasures-for-Public-Health-Emergencies-Workshop-Summary.aspx

3. Crisis Standards of Care: Summary of a Workshop Series
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2009/Crisis-Standards-of-Care-Summary-of-a-Workshop-Series.aspx

4. Environmental Public Health Impacts of Disasters: Hurricane Katrina. Workshop Summary
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2007/Environmental-Public-Health-Impacts-of-Disasters-Hurricane-Katrina-Workshop-Summary.aspx

5. Public Health Risks of Disasters: Communication, Infrastructure, and Preparedness. Workshop Summary
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2005/Public-Health-Risks-of-Disasters-Communication-Infrastructure-and-Preparedness-Workshop-Summary.aspx

2008 Annual Report
October 27, 2009
http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/PublicHealth/MedPrep/2008%20MedPrep%20Annual%20Report.ashx

Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events Topic Areas
May 3, 2007
http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/MedPrep/Forum-on-Medical-and-Public-Health-Preparedness-for-Catastrophic-Events-Information-Document.aspx

Activity Description
The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events serves to foster dialogue among stakeholders and provide ongoing opportunities to discuss and confront issues of mutual interest and concern. The Forum provides a neutral venue for broad ranging policy discussions that serve to facilitate coordination and cooperation among the public and private stakeholders in developing and enhancing the nation's medical and public health preparedness. More specifically, the Forum: provides a catalyst for voluntary public/private collaboration on topics where there is synergy among potential partners; helps define the scope of the field and thus sets the stage for future policy action; brings ongoing attention and visibility to important preparedness issues; explores new approaches for resolving problem areas; and elevates the general understanding and visibility of medical and public health preparedness in the broader research, public policy, and other appropriate communities.

The Forum is self-governing, i.e., the Forum membership identifies the topics that it wishes to address, and with assistance from staff, develops meeting agendas and identifies workshop topics. As a result, topics span a broad range of issues in research, policy, and practice. Initial attention is being given to the following broad topic areas: medical surge capacity, disaster preparedness training, communication and distribution, psychological and community resilience, and research and evaluation.