The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General released a report today examining the response of hospitals in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut during Superstorm Sandy. The report cited “gaps in emergency planning and execution” during the storm.

The study says 89 percent of hospitals reported substantial challenges in responding to the storm. The report cites a range of interrelated problems from infrastructure breakdowns, such as electrical and communication failures, to community collaboration issues over resources, such as fuel, transportation, hospital beds and public shelters. Hospitals reported that prior emergency planning was valuable during the storm and that they subsequently revised their plans as a result of lessons learned.

Given that insufficient community-wide coordination among affected entities was a common thread expressed by hospitals, the study recommended that the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness Response (ASPR) continue to promote federal, state and community collaboration in major disasters. The study also recommended that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services examine existing policies and provide guidance regarding flexibility for reimbursement under disaster conditions. ASPR and CMS concurred with the recommendations.

The study surveyed 174 Medicare-certified hospitals located in declared disaster areas as well as site visits to 10 hospitals located in areas most affected by the storm. State hospital associations and healthcare coalitions also were interviewed.

In responses to reporters, NJHA noted that New Jersey hospitals continued to provide seamless care to New Jersey residents throughout the storm, with no serious adverse patient events. NJHA also stressed that emergency preparedness is constantly evolving. Hospitals and other providers use lessons learned in any emergency to improve their planning and preparedness for subsequent events.

NJHA’s Web site has several tools and resources designed to help hospitals prepare and deal with weather events. The state Department of Health’s Web site contains additional information.