Disaster preparedness for vulnerable populations during a pandemic: Part 3: Surge capacity and communications in a pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the literature on disaster preparedness regarding surge capacity with a particular focus on vulnerable populations during a pandemic.

DESIGN

The Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians addressed the topic of vulnerable populations during a pandemic. A workgroup of nine physicians with academic and/or disaster deployment experience was formed. A literature review focused on individuals with access and functional needs, also referred to as special healthcare needs (SHCN) or vulnerable individuals, was performed. Search terms included pandemic, public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), disaster, COVID-19, vulnerable population, individuals with access and functional needs, special health care needs (SHCN), surge capacity, and communications, medical care, independence, supervision, and transportation (CMIST). Search strategies included medical sources such as PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Reviews were performed by a librarian. In addition, relevant articles from the bibliographies of included studies and more recent articles identified by committee members were included. The workgroup evaluated the literature and identified issues regarding surge capacity occurring during a pandemic that particularly impacted the SHCN population. Potential solutions were identified.

RESULTS

Vulnerable individuals are at greater risk during a pandemic than the general population, although potential solutions to mitigate the impact of a pandemic on vulnerable individuals are possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Although pandemics can have significant adverse effects on the general population, vulnerable individuals have the greatest morbidity and mortality and are at the greatest risk. Efforts are warranted to better address the negative impact of a pandemic, not just for the general population but also for individuals with access and functional needs, and to find solutions that can help mitigate the consequences of a pandemic.