Clinics are strongly encouraged to utilize this tool. This resource will allow clinics to update their contact information and will also allow clinics to view their previous responses to the questionnaire and decide whether to save without change, or change the former response. A short tutorial and introductory letter will precede the questionnaire.
This needs assessment survey, the Clinic Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire, was implemented twice in 2006, as a baseline measure (February) and as a follow-up questionnaire (August), and again as an annual follow-up questionnaire in July of 2007 and 2008. The results of the survey allowed federal, state, and local health agencies in California identify vulnerabilities and priority settings for Indian Health Clinics statewide. This coming summer, the questionnaire will be sent again to California Indian Health Clinics to evaluate any potential changes in disaster preparedness. The analysis and reporting of the results of the survey are in aggregate format where responses are noted as x of 38 clinics responded "yes" to having mandatory, annual emergency preparedness training. No single clinic is singled out in the reporting of the results.
The online version of the quesitonnaire is now available and it is vitally important that all clinics respond to the survey, even if no changes are required to the former responses. The survey allows all groups in the interagency collaboration to do the following:
(1) evaluate the effect and impact of project activities (e.g. workshop, technical assistance, online resources)
(2) identify vulnerabilities in emergency preparedness for clinics (e.g. training tools, N95 masks, exercise tools)
(3) develop appropriate priority settings for funding and personnel efforts
(4) identify clinics to receive on-site, technical assistance
We thank-you for your participation in the past and hope you will continue to support our efforts by completing the survey this summer. We know the time and efforts involved in completing the questionnaire and we are deeply grateful for your participation.
