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Adini B, Verbeek L, Trapp S, et al. Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events. Front Public Health. 2014;2:35doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035.
Adini, B., Verbeek, L., Trapp, S., Schilling, S., Sasse, J., Pientka, K., Böddinghaus, B., Schaefer, H., Schempf, J., Brodt, R., Wegner, C., Lev, B., Laor, D., Gottschalk, R., & Biederbick, W. (2014). Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events. Frontiers in public health, 235. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035
Adini, Bruria, et al. "Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events." Frontiers in public health vol. 2 (2014): 35. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035
Adini B, Verbeek L, Trapp S, Schilling S, Sasse J, Pientka K, Böddinghaus B, Schaefer H, Schempf J, Brodt R, Wegner C, Lev B, Laor D, Gottschalk R, Biederbick W. Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events. Front Public Health. 2014 Apr 14;2:35. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035. eCollection 2014. PMID: 24783192; PMCID: PMC3995059.
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Front Public Health. 2014 Apr 14;2:35. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035. eCollection 2014.

Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.

Frontiers in public health

Bruria Adini, Luzie Verbeek, Susanna Trapp, Stefan Schilling, Julia Sasse, Kathrin Pientka, Boris Böddinghaus, Helene Schaefer, Jörg Schempf, Reinhard Brodt, Christian Wegner, Boaz Lev, Daniel Laor, Rene Gottschalk, Walter Biederbick

Affiliations

  1. Prepared Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel ; Ministry of Health , Tel Aviv , Israel.
  2. Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany.
  3. Municipal Hospitals , Mönchengladbach , Germany.
  4. Health Protection Authority , Frankfurt , Germany.
  5. CSO GmbH Software Solutions , Pforzheim , Germany.
  6. University Hospital Goethe-University , Frankfurt , Germany.
  7. Ministry of Health , Tel Aviv , Israel.

PMID: 24783192 PMCID: PMC3995059 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00035

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Effective response to biological events necessitates ongoing evaluation of preparedness. This study was a bilateral German-Israeli collaboration aimed at developing an evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.

METHODS: Measurable parameters were identified through a literature review for inclusion in the evaluation tool and disseminated to 228 content experts in two modified Delphi cycles. Focus groups were conducted to identify psychosocial needs of the medical teams. Table-top and functional exercises were implemented to review applicability of the tool.

RESULTS: One hundred seventeen experts from Germany and Israel participated in the modified Delphi. Out of 188 parameters that were identified, 183 achieved a consensus of >75% of the content experts. Following comments recommended in the Delphi cycles, and feedback from focus groups and hospital exercises, the final tool consisted of 172 parameters. Median level of importance of each parameter was calculated based on ranking recommended in the Delphi process. Computerized web-based software was developed to calculate scores of preparedness for biological events.

CONCLUSION: Ongoing evaluation means, such as the tool developed in the study, can facilitate the need for a valid and reliable mechanism that may be widely adopted and implemented as quality assurance measures. The tool is based on measurable parameters and indicators that can effectively present strengths and weaknesses in managing a response to a public health threat, and accordingly, steps can be implemented to improve readiness. Adoption of such a tool is an important component of assuring public health and effective emergency management.

Keywords: biological event; disaster management; evaluation of emergency preparedness; measurable indicators; standard operating procedures

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