Web-Based Multistate Disaster Rehearsal of Concepts Exercises

Introduction: The Mountain Plains Regional Disaster Health Response System (Mountain RDHRS) works to build disaster capacity across US Federal Region VIII, a rural western six-state region. It conducts an annual rehearsal of concepts and exercises identify gaps inform policy development. In 2022, multi-state exercise was conducted involving responders from individual hospitals coordinating with Healthcare Coalitions State Public Health. These responses rolled up emergency operations center overseen by the RDHRS. Method: A fictitious mass botulism incident generated pediatric surge Individual patient cards demographic information were given set in participating states. communication pathways within states identified. Communication between local regional transfer centers assessed. Overall situational awareness tracked. format occurrence notifications normal channels Zoom conference call held on day one. Situational movement occurred multiple rooms two. An after-exercise review three including all participants exercise. Results: There generally good flow states, but minimal exchange poor lack complete lists transfers. RDHRS planned exceed hospital’s capacities large number patients practice state lines. Instead showed surprising willingness keep manage critical instead transferring tertiary care centers. This identified as consequence COVID-19 experience. Conclusion: Web-based vertically spanning entities are feasible. demonstrated response.