2024 Emergency Management Conference

Conference Registration and Networking
 

Welcome and Update on Emergency Management Program Metrics 
Chris Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, Vice President, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
 

Strategies to Enhance Workplace Safety
John K. Oast, Jr., MS, CHPA, Director, Security Training and Special Programs, Geisinger Health System (invited)

The health care profession has become a most dangerous environment with regard to workplace violence, with 75 percent of all workplace occurring in the health care setting. During this session, participants will learn from how to establish a security officer field training program, leverage multiple technology assets, and gain tangible next steps for implementing new safety strategies.
 

Enhancing Emergency Management: Ignite Talks
 

Effective Emergency Management and Response: Lessons from the Letterkenny Hazmat Incident
Jill Turner, Manager of Safety and Emergency Management, Wellspan Chambersburg Hospital 

Join us for an in-depth session exploring the critical elements of emergency management and response through the lens of the recent hazardous materials (hazmat) incident near the Letterkenny Army Depot. This comprehensive event will highlight the collaborative efforts between military, emergency management agencies, and health care providers, focusing on how to effectively manage and mitigate such high-stakes situations. You’ll hear a detailed analysis initial response, escalation, and resolution phases, procedures in handling victims exposed to hazardous materials, and understand the unique challenges posed by military and industrial settings.

Medical Operations: Lessons Learned from Pocono Raceway
Ryan Hay, Administrator, Public Safety, Lehigh Valley Health Network

This session will explore mass gathering medical operations at one of the most iconic venues in motorsports—Pocono Raceway. You’ll hear a detailed examination of the unique challenges and innovative solutions associated with mass gathering medical care, including crowd dynamics, high injury risks, the integration of resources and expertise from local emergency services, raceway medical teams, and volunteer organizations to ensure a seamless response, and communication strategies.
 

Networking Break (Move to Harrisburg Hilton for combined break with Patient Safety, Quality, and Equity Symposium)
 

Resiliency, Patient Safety, and Emergency Management: Lessons Learned from Trump Rally (Combined session with Patient Safety, Quality, and Equity Symposium)
Kenneth DeFurio, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independence Health System, Treasurer, Board of Directors, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

In a world where unexpected crises can impact even the most routine medical environments, healthcare providers must be prepared to handle extreme situations. This session will examine the emergency response employed, the challenges faced, and the strategies that proved effective at from the shooting at former President Trump’s rally. You will learn how to to prepare for, manage, and mitigate risks in a high-profile crisis to safeguard patients and maintain care standards.
 

Networking Reception (Combined with HAP's Patient Safety, Quality, and Equity Symposium)
 

Dinner (On your own)
 

Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking 
 

Safeguarding Patients and Strengthening Resilience with Effective Crisis Communication 
David LaTorre, Founder, La Torre Communications

Effective communication is critical in hospital emergency management to ensure coordinated responses and optimal patient care. This session delves into the methodologies and best practices that hospitals can adopt to enhance communication during emergencies, including: protocol development, interdisciplinary communication, and crisis communication. This interactive session will help you transform your communication practices to safeguard patient outcomes and strengthen hospital resilience in the face of emergencies.
 

Strategies to Enhance Communications: Ignite Talks
 

The Benefits of Redundant Communication
Sean Hart, Manager, Safety and Emergency Management, WellSpan Health

Redundant communication is imperative when it comes to communication modalities and in emergency preparedness planning. Hear from the team at Wellspan as they discuss their experience and the importance of backing up communication.
 

Leveraging Amateur Radio in Hospital Emergency Management
Chris Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, Vice President, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

Amateur radio plays a pivotal role in maintaining communication during emergencies where conventional communication channels may fail. This session will discuss how amateur radio operations can be crucial communication during an incident. You will learn how to effectively facilitate real-time information exchange between hospitals, emergency services, external agencies, and the invaluable contribution of amateur radio operators in hospital emergency management.
 

Networking Break
 

Safeguarding Critical Care: Cybersecurity in Hospital Emergency Management

In an increasingly digital age, hospitals are not only at the forefront of patient care but also prime targets for cyber threats. This session will  explain the critical intersection of cybersecurity and emergency management within hospital settings, the unique vulnerabilities hospitals face during emergencies and strategies to strengthen your defenses  against cyber threats.
 

Cybersecurity Ignite Talks
 

Safeguarding Against a Ransomware Attack

In the face of increasing ransomware attacks targeting healthcare institutions, understanding real-world responses and recovery strategies is vital. This session will provide hospital emergency management professionals with a comprehensive analysis of a ransomware attack, highlighting key lessons learned and actionable strategies for response.
 

Advanced Cybersecurity Solutions for Critical Infrastructure: CrowdStrike 
Jason Tomashunas, MS, CHEP, Manager, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

As you are likely aware, an issue involving the CrowdStrike application is affecting information technology systems in multiple sectors, including health care, around the county and the globe. CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted to work toward resolution. All initial reports indicate that this is not a security incident or cyberattack. Officials from the company have stated that the issue has been identified, isolated, and a fix has been deployed.
 

AI Emergency Management Considerations
Tom Kitchen, MECM, CEM®, Manager, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
        
This presentation will discuss how AI-driven solutions are reshaping the way health care systems and professionals prepare for and respond to emergencies, whether they are natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises. It will explore how AI is already playing a pivotal role in health care emergency preparedness by providing early warnings, optimizing resource allocation, enabling remote care, and integrating data for better decision-making. While AI brings significant benefits, it also raises ethical concerns that need careful consideration throughout its development and deployment supporting health care systems. We will review a sampling of the issues that may raise concern for some. For those who may be just beginning to evaluate AI’s usefulness or for those who remain cautiously optimistic, we will also define and introduce artificial intelligence generally while providing examples of how it is currently being used across the industry.
 

Adjourn