As the COVID-19 pandemic persisted, the Omicron variant emerged as the predominant strain in the United States by late December 2021. As the new year dawned, this variant continued to spread rapidly, outpacing previous strains in numerous regions. This surge posed an ongoing test for Howard County General Hospital (HCGH) as it grappled with its response to the global pandemic. Like healthcare institutions nationwide, HCGH keenly felt the impact of the Omicron variant and recognized the imperative to gain a deeper understanding of both best practices and areas requiring improvement, as observed and demonstrated during this latest COVID-19 variant surge.
In response, HCGH engaged the services of Savior to develop an After-Action Report / Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) focused on evaluating the hospital's operational response during the Omicron surge. To comprehensively assess the hospital's performance, Savior utilized a wide array of data collection and information-gathering techniques. This encompassed the review of daily Hospital Command Center (HCC) briefing summaries, analysis of Operational Period documentation, scrutiny of patient volume data, examination of Supply Chain records, financial reports, and in-depth interviews with both clinical and non-clinical departmental managers, as well as Executive Leadership.
Following the meticulous compilation and synthesis of this extensive dataset, Savior created a comprehensive AAR/IP for HCGH. This report delved into various thematic areas, dissecting best practices, highlighting valuable lessons learned, and pinpointing areas necessitating improvement. The structure and format of the report aligned with the guidelines laid out in the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) for AAR/IP documentation.
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The State of North Carolina's Public Health Preparedness and Response Branch (PHP&R) enlisted the expertise of Savior Associates to conduct a comprehensive three-day training course known as the National Planners Course (NPC) for its staff members. The NPC serves as the cornerstone for a deep dive into the National Plan Development Process (NPDP), a critical methodology employed by federal agencies in crafting crisis action and contingency plans. Furthermore, numerous states and localities have embraced and implemented the NPDP as a benchmark best practice within their respective jurisdictions.
Employing a diverse range of instructional techniques, including lectures, class and small group discussions, multimedia aids, real-world scenarios, and individual activities, Savior Associates skillfully steered PHP&R staff members through the five key phases of the NPDP. This immersive experience aimed to foster a fundamental understanding of how this process applies directly to the agency's operations and objectives.
Savior Associates conducted a specialized training aimed at equipping departmental staff at JHH with the knowledge and skills required to create Tabletop Exercises (TTX) using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) methodology. HSEEP represents the established framework for crafting, executing, and assessing emergency preparedness exercises. The training placed particular emphasis on key elements such as hazard identification, the formulation of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Objectives, scenario development, and featured a collaborative session dedicated to crafting a Situation Manual (SitMan). This comprehensive training initiative was designed with the primary goal of increasing the hospital's readiness and response capabilities in the face of emergencies.
Sibley Memorial Hospital, referred to as "Sibley," took proactive steps to bolster its internal readiness for potential active assailant incidents within the hospital through a series of department-level drills. These drills followed a systematic approach, with a particular focus on training staff in the "Hide" aspect of the widely accepted "Run-Hide-Fight" response strategy for active assailant threats. Sibley partnered with Savior Associates to meticulously plan, execute, and assess three department-specific drills, each tailored to Endoscopy, Rehabilitation Services, and the Med/Surg floor, respectively.
Furthermore, as part of the comprehensive preparation efforts, Sibley Security actively engaged in the Exercise Planning Team where they assumed roles as Controller/Evaluators during the actual exercise. In the Endoscopy and Rehabilitation Services departments, staff practiced their "Hide" responses in response to overhead page notifications. On the Med/Surg floor, a dedicated exercise team member took on the role of the assailant, utilizing a rubber training gun to replicate the presence of an armed assailant. Staff based their response options and tactics on the actions of the role player.
These drills signify Sibley Memorial Hospital's dedication to equipping its staff with the skills and readiness required to respond effectively to active assailant incidents, with Savior Associates playing an integral role in this preparedness initiative.