- An influenza pandemic in the United States would cause an estimated:
- 89,000 to 207,000 deaths,
- 300,000 to 700,000 hospitalizations, and
- 18 to 42 million individuals requiring outpatient care.
–Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
- Because 85 percent of our nation’s critical infrastructure is controlled not by government but by the private sector, private-sector civilians are likely to be the first responders in any future catastrophes. –The 9/11 Commission Report
- Only 20 percent of the public report being prepared for a terrorist-related disaster, and only 13 percent report having a neighborhood plan for disasters. –
Department of Homeland Security
- Approximately one-third of study respondents from hospitals in rural communities have no established mechanism for credentialing volunteer staff during an emergency. –Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations study
- The Joint Commission recommends health care organizations stockpile medications and supplies necessary to operate in stand-alone status for 48 to 72 hours. –2003 Joint Commission white paper, “Health Care at the Crossroads: Strategies for Creating and Sustaining Community-wide Emergency Preparedness Systems”