Integrating a framework for conducting public health systems research into statewide operations-based exercises to improve emergency preparedness

Table 1 Demographic Characteristics of Responding versus Non-Responding Agencies*

	Responding			Non-Responding
	LHDs (n=32)**	Local EMS Agencies (n=42)***	Hospitals (n=121)****	LHDs (n=29)**	Local EMS Agencies (n=16)***	Hospitals (n=391)****
Median Population Size Served †	228,618	183,427	---	126,518	127,645	---
Median # Licensed Hospital Beds ††	---	---	166	---	---	114
County Size §
Small	25%	31%	---	24%	13%	---
Medium	47%	38%	---	52%	75%	---
Large	28%	31%	---	24%	13%	---
Mean Level of Urbanity ¥	1.5	1.52	---	1.41	1.38	---

* Since hospitals do not serve an entire county, we compare the median number of licensed hospital beds between responding and non-responding hospitals.
** LHDs representing 32 of 61 health jurisdictions responded to the post-exercise survey; 29 health jurisdictions are not represented.
*** 24 LEMSAS representing 42 counties responded to the post-exercise survey; 16 counties are not represented.
**** 466 general acute care hospitals in California were recruited for the survey, 121 of which responded. An additional 6 hospitals (3 federal hospitals and 3 acute psychiatric hospitals) were included in the analysis, for a total of 127 hospitals.
† Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2000.
‡ Based on data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, part of the California Health and Human Services Agency.
§ Small LHD = population < 50,000; Medium LHD = population 50,000-499,999; Large LHD = population ≥500,000.
¥ 1 = Primarily Urban, 2 = Urban/Rural Mix, 3 = Primarily Rural.

ISSN: 1471-2458