When the disaster doesn’t end after the first 72 hours, can your organization sustain essential services?

DESCRIPTION:

Natural disasters are becoming increasingly complex, and the challenges they create can extend well beyond the initial response. Join us for Disaster Convergence, an interactive tabletop exercise designed to explore the realities of prolonged disaster response and long-term recovery!

Participants will navigate an unfolding long-term event based on the increase in frequency and intensity of natural disaster occurrences. This exercise will utilize lessons learned and challenges identified during events such as Hurricane Helene, and focus will be placed on maintaining continuity of services. Emphasis will be placed on sustaining recovery efforts with limited resources and amid staffing challenges, communication disruptions, and changing patient needs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• List areas of improvement in the organization’s disaster preparedness and continuity plans
• Identify internal and external communication methodologies amid changing operational conditions throughout a long-term event.
• Ascertain community resources, partnerships, and/or referral pathways
• Develop strategies for sustaining essential services and addressing resource limitations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Home health and home care agency leaders
• Direct care staff including home health and personal care professionals 
• Quality improvement and risk management professionals
• Community-based organizations: Faith-based organizations, Food Assistance Program Leaders, and organizations that support individual and community needs.

WHY ATTEND:

The purpose of this no-cost, expert-led training is to take recently acquired knowledge and incorporate that information into processes and outcomes to assist agencies in being compliant with federal and state regulations in the areas of disaster preparedness requirements.

This includes the CMS Emergency Preparedness Program, State Regulations, Accreditation Organization Standards, and the OSHA General Duty Clause. Participants will receive an After-Action Report demonstrating their compliance with annual emergency preparedness exercise requirements.

MEET OUR SPEAKER:

Barbara Citarella, RN, MS, is the only internationally recognized expert in disaster preparedness for the home care and hospice industry.

In addition to consulting in all areas of health care, Barbara has worked extensively with local, state, and federal government agencies on business recovery planning, protection of personnel assets, infection prevention, infrastructure protection, all-hazards planning, and the Incident Command System.

For much of 2019-2022, she worked extensively with government agencies for COVID-19 response. During 2023, edited and revised multiple response guidance documents for the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

Barbara has also served as an expert panel member for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Medical Association, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. She currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the United States Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response.

Bringing It Back: Infection Prevention Begins with Preparedness

As we head into respiratory season, we are bringing back an important educational session previously offered by the Emergency Preparedness Network (EPN): Infection Prevention Begins with Preparedness.

Infection prevention is an essential part of emergency preparedness, particularly in home-based care settings where patients and caregivers may face unique challenges in reducing exposure to infectious diseases.

Previously offered last year, this session returns as an opportunity to revisit foundational practices, strengthen infection prevention knowledge, and equip home-based care professionals with practical strategies to help protect the individuals and communities they serve.

During this session, infection prevention experts from the Maryland Department of Health will explore:

✔ How preparedness supports effective infection prevention

✔ Best practices for hand hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection

✔ Aseptic techniques to support safe patient care

✔ Proper selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Participants will also examine common infection prevention challenges in home-based care and practical approaches to reducing infection spread in the home environment.

Meet Our Speaker

     Jamie Rubin, MS, RN, CIC, Infection Prevention and Control Program Administrator, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau, Maryland Department of Health.

Jamie brings experience in acute care infection prevention and adult and pediatric emergency nursing. Since joining MDH in 2020, Jamie has focused on preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms and emerging pathogens while engaging healthcare, public health, and industry partners in prevention efforts throughout Maryland.

As respiratory season approaches, preparedness starts with the fundamentals. Join us as we revisit the practices that help keep patients, caregivers, and communities safe!