2012-13 Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Updates
HPP Reimbursement Training
The Hospital HPP Inventory Quarterly Reports are due at ICEMA on or before the following dates: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
San Bernardino County Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)
The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) enhances the ability of hospitals and health care systems to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Current program priority areas include interoperable communication systems, bed tracking, personnel management, fatality management planning and hospital evacuation planning. During the past five years HPP funds have also improved bed and personnel surge capacity, decontamination capabilities, isolation capacity, pharmaceutical supplies, training, education, drills and exercises.
Hospitals, outpatient facilities, health centers, poison control centers, EMS and other healthcare partners work with the appropriate state or local health department to acquire funding and develop healthcare system preparedness through this program. Funding is distributed directly to the Health Department of the State or political subdivision of a State (cities and counties are considered political subdivisions of States).
The HPP supports priorities established by the National Preparedness Goal established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2005. The Goal guides entities at all levels of government in the development and maintenance of capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, including Incidents of National Significance. Additionally, the Goal will assist entities at all levels of government in the development and maintenance of the capabilities to identify, prioritize and protect critical infrastructure.
The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 transferred the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (NBHPP) from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The focus of the program is now all-hazards preparedness and not solely bioterrorism.
Optional Funding Capabilities
The following program capabilities have been funding priorities in previous years. If funding permits, the following capabilities may be prioritized after the required funding capabilities, mentioned above, during the FY 2011-12 budget cycle:
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Mobile Medical Assets
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Pharmaceutical Caches
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Personal Protective Equipment
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Decontamination
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Medical Reserve Corps
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Telecommunications Service Priority Program (TSP)
HPP Participating Healthcare Facilities
As of June 2011, the following healthcare facilities participate in the program:
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All (18) General Acute Care Hospitals (GACH) in San Bernardino County
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Waterman Convalescent Hospital, Robert H. Ballard Rehab Hospital, Patton State Hospital, Kindred Hospital-Ontario, and the San Bernardino Medical Group
Since FY 2009-2010, the San Bernardino County HPP has been working to expand the partnership to include long-term care facilities (i.e., skilled nursing facilities and others) to increase surge bed capacity to improve the county's ability to respond to public health and other medical emergencies.