/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:18:14 -0500 Fri, 21 Mar 25 09:50:35 -0500 /education-events/cloud-based-hospital-disaster-recovery-technologies-and-ehr-solutions <p><strong>Cloud-Based Hospital Disaster-Recovery Technologies and EHR Solutions </strong>  <br><em>Reducing the Impacts of Disasters on Hospitals and Health Systems</em>  </p><p><strong>Wednesday, April 30, 2025 </strong>  <br><em>1 - 2 p.m. Eastern; noon - 1 p.m. Central; 10 - 11 a.m. Pacific  </em></p><p>Disaster-recovery IT systems are critical for hospitals and health systems because they ensure the continuity of patient care during emergencies, system failures or cyberattacks. In health care, even a short period of downtime can have life-threatening consequences, as hospitals rely on electronic health records (EHRs), medical imaging and automated medication systems.  </p><p>A robust disaster-recovery plan helps mitigate risks associated with data loss, system unavailability or network disruptions, allowing health care providers to continue offering essential services without compromising patient safety. Additionally, hospitals must comply with stringent regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates the protection and availability of patient data.  </p><p>Disaster-recovery IT systems provide secure data backups, redundancy and rapid recovery solutions to ensure compliance with these regulations. Without such systems, hospitals risk legal penalties, reputational damage and financial losses if they fail to safeguard sensitive patient information. By investing in resilient IT infrastructure, health systems can maintain compliance while enhancing their ability to withstand unexpected disruptions. Moreover, modern health care facilities face growing cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks that can lock critical systems and demand hefty payments for data release. A well-implemented disaster recovery IT system includes cybersecurity measures such as encrypted backups, network segmentation, and real-time threat monitoring to prevent and respond to such incidents. Proactively preparing for disasters — whether natural, technological or cyber-related — ensures that hospitals can continue functioning under adverse conditions, protecting both patient lives and the organization’s financial stability.  </p><p>In this webinar, learn how cloud-based solutions can help hospitals and health systems ensure secure and resilient disaster-recovery systems. Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, will discuss how its regional design and deployment of its global infrastructure and data center, as well as its elastic disaster-recovery solution, assists hospitals and health systems with their disaster-recovery needs. Specific EHR disaster-recovery options on AWS, such as the Epic Isolated Recovery Environment (IRE) and MEDITECH Disaster Recovery, along with specific health system use cases, will also be discussed.    </p><p><strong>Attendees Will Learn:  </strong></p><ul><li>The value of cloud-based global infrastructure solutions in minimizing downtime during disasters. </li><li>How a disaster-recovery system minimizes downtime and data loss with fast, reliable recovery of on-premises and cloud-based applications using affordable storage, minimal compute and point-in-time recovery.  </li><li>How EHR solutions such as the Epic Isolated Recovery Environment and MEDITECH Disaster Recovery solutions can help with security, resiliency, downtime recovery, ransomware protection and reductions in patient care disruption.  </li></ul><p><strong>Speakers:</strong></p><p>Monica Coley, DHI, MPH <br><em>Health Informaticist & Senior Business Development Manager</em>  <br><strong>Amazon Web Services</strong></p><p>Matt Dinger <br><em>Epic on AWS Global Leader & Implementation Advisor </em><br><strong>Amazon Web Services</strong></p><p>Dan Cowan <br><em>MEDITECH on AWS Global Leader & Business Developer </em><br><strong>Amazon Web Services  </strong></p> Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:50:35 -0500 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2025-02-06-report-analyzes-emergency-department-use-during-la-wildfires <p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Feb. 6 released a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7403a2.htm">report</a>  on emergency department use during the Los Angeles County wildfires that began Jan. 7. All-cause ED encounters in Los Angeles County initially decreased 9% after the start of wildfires, while wildfire-associated encounters increased eightfold. Wildfire-associated ED encounters peaked from the period of Jan. 7-12, aligning with worsened air quality deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. The CDC said the initial decrease in all-cause visits could be due to evacuations; alterations in activity patterns; or residents seeking care in clinics, urgent care centers or EDs in neighboring counties. </p> Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:51:41 -0600 Disaster Preparedness /news/perspective/2025-01-31-when-disasters-strike-hospitals-are-always-there-care-and-stand-their-communities <p>When a man sped his pickup truck down a New Orleans street on New Year’s Day killing 14 people and injuring more than 30, area hospitals and health systems cared for the injured and comforted families. As a series of devastating wildfires in California this month caused at least 29 deaths, many injuries and significant damage to homes and property, hospital and health system teams were there to care for their patients and communities, even as many caregivers themselves faced significant personal hardship.</p><p>Each and every day across the country, our nation’s hospitals and health systems are always there, ready to care. They play a crucial role in disaster and emergency preparedness and response.</p><p>Hospitals and health systems serve as vital hubs for medical care, community support and resilience in the face of crises. They are often the first line of defense in providing immediate medical attention, coordinating with other emergency services, and ensuring the continuity of essential health care services.</p><p>A recent <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hospital-Provision-of-24-hour-Care-and-Specialized-Services-Final.pdf" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America's Health Care">report</a> commissioned by the <a href="https://strengthenhealthcare.org" target="_blank" title="Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare Website">Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare</a>, of which the AHA is a founding member, demonstrated that hospitals and health systems provide access to around-the-clock emergency and specialty care that other providers typically cannot offer, making them indispensable, crucial access points for care.</p><p>Among other findings, the analysis by KNG Health Consulting, an independent health economics and policy consulting firm, showed that hospitals are uniquely equipped to treat complex conditions that cannot be treated elsewhere and are crucial access points for underserved and rural patients — standing by to provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.</p><p><strong>Resources on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery. </strong>The AHA has developed and shared an online hub of resources designed to enhance our nation’s public health preparedness, response and recovery efforts and support communities. These resources were developed as part of <a href="/aha-clear" target="_blank">Convening Leaders for Emergency and Response</a> (CLEAR), a partnership featuring hospitals, fire/emergency medical services leaders, and other health groups to strengthen the nation’s emergency management systems.</p><p>The resources include <a href="/aha-clear" target="_blank" title="Clear Resources">videos</a> featuring hospital and health system leaders discussing their firsthand experiences navigating public health emergencies; <a href="/aha-clear/tipsheets" target="_blank" title="Clear Tip Sheets">tip sheets</a> with strategies and real-world examples for hospitals and health systems to effectively prepare for and respond to a variety of public health emergency scenarios; and a <a href="/aha-clear/field-guide-for-emergency-preparedness" target="_blank" title="Emergency Preparedness Field Guide">field guide</a> with actionable strategies to bolster our emergency management efforts.</p><p>In addition, there are many great examples on <a href="/tellingthehospitalstory" target="_blank" title="Telling the Hospital Story web site">AHA’s Telling the Hospital Story</a> web pages that demonstrate the many ways hospitals and health systems restore health to individuals and entire communities, as well as advance the frontiers of our medical knowledge.</p><p>When disasters, emergencies or other unforeseen events knock people down, hospitals and health systems will be there — as they always have been —  providing healing and hope to help people get back up again.</p><p>That's why it's so important to make sure hospitals and health systems have the resources they need to maintain their heroic care for patients and communities. As budget battles heat up on Capitol Hill, we need to keep reminding federal lawmakers about the value hospitals provide to the communities they represent and urge lawmakers to reject proposals that would reduce patients’ access to care.</p><p>Our field is at its strongest when we speak with one voice, creating an echo chamber that tells the story of the essential role hospitals and health systems play in every community. Throughout the year, let’s keep that unified message as we continue our efforts to advance health in America.</p> Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:03:27 -0600 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-12-06-aspr-seeks-comments-hospital-preparedness-program-funding-formula <p>The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is seeking <a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/News-2024-12-5-HPPFeedback.aspx">public feedback</a> on its Hospital Preparedness Program funding formula. The HPP is the primary source of federal funding for health care preparedness and response. <br><br>ASPR is seeking comments on how it could change data sources and information it uses to determine the formula's risk component. Any potential changes to the formula will influence distribution of HPP funds beginning in fiscal year 2025. Comments are due Dec. 20.</p> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:44:06 -0600 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-12-05-blog-5-steps-building-emergency-readiness-meet-needs-children <p>In this AHA <a href="/news/blog/2024-12-05-building-emergency-readiness-meet-needs-children" title="Syeda blog meeting kids needs">blog</a> Aisha Syeda, senior program manager for AHA’s Strategic Initiatives, summarizes five action steps hospitals can take to establish pediatric disaster readiness, as well as day-to-day readiness. These key takeaways come from a recent AHA <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBXN8PzkW3Zg&data=05%7C02%7Cthaederle%40aha.org%7C9000cc4cedcf40b5916308dd1562c95b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638690236222069536%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Mgb5czpajmWTGukrcxUWoeiqMhmeit4peCNnhV6lLy0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">webinar</a> with University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Corewell Health Children’s. These institutions are recognized as Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence, an initiative funded by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to design and share evidence-based practices and protocols. </p> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:58:03 -0600 Disaster Preparedness /news/blog/2024-12-05-building-emergency-readiness-meet-needs-children <p>In 2024, the U.S. suffered<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions"> 24 weather and climate disasters</a>. In October alone, two major hurricanes devastated communities in North Carolina and Florida, leaving residents struggling with scarce resources. In these challenging times, hospitals and health care systems are safe havens, providing communities essential health care services, coordinating with emergency response teams, and supporting those affected. Hospitals and health care systems must be prepared to handle the unexpected and ready to meet the health care needs of everyone – young and old – in the community.</p><p>Children often receive care in general acute care hospitals rather than at dedicated pediatric facilities. This means every hospital – not just specialized pediatric centers – needs to be equipped and prepared to manage and treat pediatric emergencies. In 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response funded the <a href="https://www.pediatricdisaster.org/">Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence</a>, an initiative to design and share evidence-based practices and protocols emergency departments can implement to address the needs of children day to day and in disasters.</p><p>University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Corewell Health Children’s are among the hospitals on this journey. In a recent AHA <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXN8PzkW3Zg">webinar</a>, they shared five action steps hospitals can take to establish pediatric disaster readiness, as well as day-to-day readiness.</p><ol><li><strong>Build awareness and conduct asset mapping.</strong> Hospitals recognize that their EDs are required by law to screen, and either stabilize or transfer patients, both adult and pediatric, to a higher level of care. Use the <a href="https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pediatric-readiness-project/readiness-toolkit/readiness-ED-checklist/">ED Checklist</a> to assess if your hospital’s ED has the critical components to serve pediatric-specific health care needs. Take the <a href="https://pedsready.org/">National Pediatric Readiness Project assessment</a> and receive a pediatric readiness score for your ED and a gap report to understand where to make improvements in pediatric readiness.</li><li><strong>Review your current disaster preparedness plan. </strong>Children’s unique vulnerabilities are often magnified during disasters. Use the <a href="https://emscimprovement.center/domains/preparedness/disaster-plan-prepare/disaster-checklist/">Essential Pediatric Considerations for Every Hospital’s Disaster Policies checklist</a> to examine if your current disaster preparedness plan contains essential tools, resources, policies, partnerships and workforce to address the diverse needs of children that arise in disasters.</li><li><strong>Connect and coordinate with your state and region.</strong> Develop a clear picture of existing resources locally, in the state and across the region, and work to coordinate and streamline response and recovery efforts for pediatric readiness. Partner with nearby states to network, learn and build a collective repository of resources and workforce. These partnerships are crucial for potentially establishing transfer agreements amongst hospitals for high-risk or trauma patients.</li><li><strong>Build capacity and competencies.</strong> Enhance your hospital’s capabilities and capacity by expanding educational competencies and trainings focused on responding to surges and increased patient volumes. Hospitals can offer <a href="https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pecc/">Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator</a> training to empower pediatric care coordinators and emergency medical services to be properly equipped to manage pediatric emergencies. <a href="https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pediatric-readiness-project/readiness-toolkit/readiness-toolkit-checklist/">Use the National Pediatric Readiness Project toolkit</a> to find recommendations and tools hospitals can use to address gaps in their pediatric disaster care, along with services hospitals can implement to build operational readiness to manage pediatric needs daily. Disaster situations can be distressing, and hospitals also should be prepared with trained mental health professionals who understand pediatric trauma.</li><li><strong>Engage with the community for practical solutions.</strong> Work with community stakeholders and families to hear their first-hand experiences to design support that will meet their children’s health care needs.</li></ol><p>Hospitals and their health care professionals understand that children are not little adults. These action steps serve as a guide to building pediatric readiness in emergency situations. When effectively implemented, they can help ensure that hospitals and emergency responders are even better prepared to address the unique needs of children. America’s hospitals and health systems are committed to continually improving the care we provide for our communities, and that includes caring for kids.</p><p><em>Aisha Syeda, MPH, serves as senior program manager for AHA’s Strategic Initiatives.</em></p> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:31:41 -0600 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-30-replay-hhs-briefing-iv-solutions-conservation <p>A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFL8xnDFcg0">replay</a> of the Oct. 28 Department of Health and Human Services briefing on IV solutions conservation amid the disruption at Baxter's North Carolina plant is now available. Visit AHA’s <a href="/updates-iv-fluid-supplies-after-helene-forces-closure-baxter-manufacturing-plant">webpage</a> for the latest information and conservation resources related to the ongoing disruption, including a <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-10-28-planning-resiliency-iv-fluid-supply-chain">podcast</a> with Cleveland Clinic on conservation strategies and the importance of constant and targeted communication during supply chain shortages. Baxter also provides updates and resources on its <a href="https://meded.baxter.com/hurricane-helene-clinical-resources/baxter-resources-for-products-authorized-for-temporary-importation">website</a> to include "Dear Healthcare Professional" letters for each Baxter product authorized for temporary importation that has arrived in the U.S.</p> Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:20:55 -0500 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-25-aha-podcast-ian-milton-lessons-learned-hurricane-response <p>With numerous care locations across Florida, Lee Health has endured three major hurricanes over the past two years. In this conversation, Scott Nygaard, M.D., chief operating officer at Lee Health, discusses the impact these natural disasters have had on the organization and how their emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts have helped guide continued care for both patients and caregivers.  <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-10-25-ian-milton-lessons-learned-hurricane-response">LISTEN NOW</a> </p> Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:19:03 -0500 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-24-aha-bulletin-highlights-baxters-efforts-increase-access-supply-iv-solutions <p>AHA today Oct. 24 a Special Bulletin with updates from Baxter on its efforts to increase access to and supply of IV solutions in response to the effects of Hurricane Helene on its manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Baxter anticipates restarting the highest-throughput IV solutions manufacturing line at the impacted plant within the next week. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration authorized temporary importation for a variety of products from two additional Baxter plants in Thailand and Singapore, bringing the total number of facilities authorized to import products to seven. See AHA’s <a href="/2024-10-24-baxter-provides-updates-efforts-increase-access-and-supply-iv-solutions">Special Bulletin</a> for more updates.</p> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:22:12 -0500 Disaster Preparedness /news/headline/2024-10-16-aha-podcast-critical-need-conservation-plans-face-supply-shortages <p>The recent Hurricane Helene disrupted the production and supply of IV fluids due to the temporary closure of a Baxter manufacturing plant in North Carolina — a reminder of our nation’s fragile health care supply chain. In this conversation, Michael Schiller, executive director of the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management, and Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, discuss the current situation with IV fluid supplies and the need to create a conservation plan for critical patient supplies that could be threatened by a disaster or other event. <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-10-16-critical-need-resource-conservation-plans-face-disasters">LISTEN NOW</a> <br><br>Visit AHA's <a href="/updates-iv-fluid-supplies-after-helene-forces-closure-baxter-manufacturing-plant">webpage</a> for the latest information and other resources related to the IV solution supply disruption.</p><div></div> Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:31:21 -0500 Disaster Preparedness