Improving Terrorism Preparedness for Hospitals: Toward Better Interorganizational Communication

Abstract

This paper provides insights on the main cure for improving terrorism preparedness for hospitals: better interorganizational communication between hospitals and other agencies. Despite considerable progress in dealing with the impact of a major terrorist attack, most U.S. hospitals so far do not seem to be fully capable to manage mass casualties and face a large-scale influx of patients. Yet, hospitals play a critical role in both identifying and responding to any potential terrorist attack. For this reason, this study explains proper collaboration methods that should be implemented, how they can lead to more rapid communication thanks to the use of electronic equipment (i.e., hospital-to-hospital Internet-based communication), how risk communication and the media play an important role as well, and how interdisciplinary research and funding are needed. As such, specific interorganizational measures are described in order to help health communication scholars and public health officials understand that hospitals and other agencies must be well trained and properly equipped to ensure maximal communication and cooperation during terrorist events.