The aim of this study is to determine the response of home-based primary care programs to the fall 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.

This study examines the experiences of 9 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs in their responses to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Thirty-four phone interviews with HBPC leadership and staff were conducted from April to July 2018.

The total census of impacted HBPC programs was 3118. No program reported loss of life due to these hurricanes. Early preparedness was key to an effective program response. Response included prompt tracking of the patients. In the most affected areas, respondents noted limited resources to support basic patient needs.

Medically complex patients served by programs such as the VHA’s HBPC program represent a subset of the population, yet they have an outsized impact on health care resources that could be exacerbated by inadequate disaster preparedness. HBPC programs serve a unique role in supporting the “older old.” They are tasked with supporting disaster preparedness activities of patients. Understanding what is involved in actualizing their requirements shows communities how to effectively engage with these programs.

Home health agencies have been tasked to improve their patients’ disaster preparedness. Few studies have evaluated the robustness of tools to support preparedness in home health. Through evaluation of the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Patient Assessment Tool, we conducted a survey to identify strengths and challenges in supporting the preparedness of patients served by home health programs such as the Veterans Health Administration’s HBPC program.

Practitioners from 10 HBPC programs fielded the Patient Assessment Tool with all patients during a 3-week period. Logistic regression and bivariate analyses were used to identify patient characteristics associated with the delivery of preparedness education.

A total of 754 Patient Assessment Tools were returned. The educational item most likely to be covered was how to activate 911 services (87%). The item least likely to be discussed was information on emergency shelter registration and emergency specialty transportation (44%). When compared to the low risk group, HBPC patients in the high/medium risk group were more likely to receive preparedness education materials for 6 of the 9 educational preparedness items (P values less than 0.05).

Practitioners are relaying preparedness education to their most vulnerable patients, suggesting that home health agencies can provide disaster preparedness in the home. Nonetheless, there is room for improvement. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:547-554)

Health agencies working with the homebound play a vital role in bolstering a community’s resiliency by improving the preparedness of this vulnerable population. Nevertheless, this role is one for which agencies lack training and resources, which leaves many homebound at heightened risk. This study examined the utility of an evidence-based Disaster Preparedness Toolkit in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs.

We conducted an online survey of all VHA HBPC program managers (N=77/146; 53% response rate).

Respondents with fewer years with the HBPC program rated the toolkit as being more helpful (P<0.05). Of those who implemented their program’s disaster protocol most frequently, two-thirds strongly agreed that the toolkit was relevant. Conversely, of those who implemented their disaster protocols very infrequently or never, 23% strongly agreed that the topics covered in the toolkit were relevant to their work (P<0.05).

This toolkit helps support programs as they fulfill their preparedness requirements, especially practitioners who are new to their position in HBPC. Programs that implement disaster protocols infrequently may require additional efforts to increase understanding of the toolkit’s utility. Engaging all members of the team with their diverse clinical expertise could strengthen a patient’s personal preparedness plan. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:56–63)

The purpose of this study was to examine how agencies in South Carolina that provide in-home health care and personal care services help older and/or disabled clients to prepare for disasters.The study also examines how agencies safeguard clients' records, train staff, and how they could improve their preparedness.

The relevant research and practice literature was reviewed. Nine public officials responsible for preparedness for in-home health care and personal care services in South Carolina were interviewed. A telephone survey instrument was developed that was based on these interviews and the literature review. Administrators from 16 agencies that provide in-home personal care to 2,147 clients, and five agencies that provide in-home health care to 2,180 clients, were interviewed. Grounded theory analysis identified major themes in the resulting qualitative data; thematic analysis organized the content.

Federal regulations require preparedness for agencies providing inhome health care (“home health”). No analogous regulations were found for in-home personal care. The degree of preparedness varied substantially among personal care agencies. Most personal care agencies were categorized as “less” prepared or “moderately” prepared. The findings for agencies in both categories generally suggest lack of preparedness in: (1) identifying clients at high risk and assisting them in planning; (2) providing written materials and/or recommendations; (3) protecting records; (4) educating staff and clients; and (5) coordinating disaster planning and response across agencies. Home health agencies were better prepared than were personal care agencies.

However, some home health administrators commented that they were unsure how well their plans would work during a disaster, given a lack of training. The majority of home health agency administrators spoke of a need for better coordination and/or more preparedness training.

Agencies providing personal care and home health services would benefit from developing stronger linkages with their local preparedness systems. The findings support incorporating disaster planning in the certification requirements for home health agencies, and developing additional educational resources for administrators and staff of personal care agencies and their clients.