Missouri is not currently experiencing a measles outbreak. As of Sept. 4, six cases had been reported in the state in 2026. However, outbreaks are occurring in neighboring states, and measles cases have increased nationally.

DHSS encourages health care providers to:

• consider measles in patients with compatible symptoms and recent travel to an area with an outbreak or a known or suspected exposure;
• immediately isolate patients with suspected measles and avoid having them remain in waiting rooms or other common areas;
• ensure health care personnel have evidence of measles immunity and facilities can quickly access employee immunization records;
• encourage patients without evidence of immunity to remain up to date on measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, particularly before travel to areas with active outbreaks; and
• notify their local public health agency or DHSS of suspected cases to coordinate testing and investigation.

Health care providers with suspected cases or questions may contact their local public health agency or DHSS at (573) 751-6113 during regular business hours or (800) 392-0272 for 24/7 assistance.

Hospitals are encouraged to review the full DHSS health alert for additional information about symptoms, testing recommendations, infection prevention measures and specimen collection requirements.

Why it worked

Long before the first fans arrived, regional health care leaders, public agencies and event organizers prepared for one of the largest events in Kansas City's history: the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Their goal was straightforward but significant: to keep fans, visitors and residents safe while the world watched.

The result was a tournament experience where health care needs were quietly met.

“We didn’t want health care to become the headline of this event,” said Brian Beaver, M.D., lead of the KC2026 Host City Health and Medical Committee and a physician dual board-certified in emergency medicine and EMS/disaster medicine. “We’ve really done a great job meeting that goal, and I’m very proud.”

How it worked

Through the KC2026 Host City Health and Medical Committee, health care preparations were made for capacity planning, medical infrastructure, emergency preparedness and communication efforts across the metropolitan area.

Below are some regional products of this planning:

• Multilingual messaging that prepared visitors for heat, severe weather, pharmacy access and appropriate use of emergency and urgent care services
• Care pathways for players, VIPs, visitors and residents
• Monitoring of hospital capacity, emergency department activity and EMS resources throughout the tournament
• Planning around mass casualties and extreme heat conducted
• On-site care operations at World Cup matches and events 

Look back at how hospitals across the city prepared.

Heat mitigation efforts proved especially important during some of the hottest match days of the tournament, when medical teams at Kansas City Stadium responded with cooling stations, hydration support and rapid treatment areas designed to help fans recover quickly and return to the event. Despite stretches of extreme summer heat, most patients at matches were treated on-site without the need for EMS transport or additional care.

This, in combination with the undisrupted care for existing patients, exemplify the difference that more than a year of thoughtful planning can make.

Exceeding expectations

Health care planning also drew praise from FIFA leadership. During a Round of 32 match, when asked whether there was anything they would change about Kansas City’s medical operation, a FIFA medical official said, “Absolutely not. We would not change a thing in KC.”

For planners, the compliment reflected the commitment of hundreds of health care workers and community partners who spent months preparing for the global event. Health and medical leaders agree that collaboration was the driving force behind the success of both the planning efforts and tournament operations.

One example of this regional collaboration in action was the partnership between Missouri State Emergency Management Agency's Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team-1 (MO DMAT-1), Missouri Behavioral Health Strike Team and the Children’s Mercy’s Pediatric Medical Specialty team, who provided comprehensive care for adults and children at MO DMAT-1’s fully equipped medical tent sites near Kansas City Stadium, Fan Festival and the Power & Light Entertainment District.

The impact of this collaboration will be felt for years to come, serving as a reminder of what health care organizations can accomplish when they work together toward a common goal. The relationships, coordination and lessons gained through the World Cup will help strengthen future responses to large-scale events and other regional challenges.

Health care providers are asked to maintain a high index of suspicion for the Cyclospora parasite in patients presenting with prolonged, watery or relapsing diarrhea. Standard routine gastrointestinal or ova and parasite tests frequently fail to detect it. Clinicians are advised that explicitly requesting a specific Cyclospora laboratory test may be necessary.

Cyclosporiasis is a Category 3 reportable disease, requiring providers to report all suspected and confirmed cases to local public health authorities or DHSS within three calendar days.

As the city prepares for its second and last knockout match this Saturday, July 11, local providers remain ready to meet the region’s needs. Warm temperatures are expected, making heat exhaustion a continued concern for providers. Find ready-to-use messaging around heat exhaustion here.

At the stadium, medical teams have treated a range of fan health concerns, with headaches, trips and falls among the most common issues. Thanks to extensive on-site preparation and advanced treatment capabilities, including cooling measures for heat-related cases, most patients have been cared for at the stadium, significantly reducing the need for hospital transport.

With respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses remaining at low levels in the area, there are currently no concerns around infectious disease. Health experts continue to monitor seasonal mosquito- and tick-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, but local activity also remains low.

Health care systems will continue to play a critical role in keeping patients, visitors and communities safe throughout the tournament. To support this regional effort, the Missouri and Kansas hospital associations and their partners will continue to inform hospitals about available resources, health care impacts and other emerging issues as the World Cup continues. 

Resources are available to support Missouri hospitals and communities throughout the World Cup.

Burn Care Preparedness

As the Fourth of July approaches, hospitals may see an increase in burn and trauma injuries, particularly among visitors who may be unfamiliar with fireworks safety.

Because the Kansas City region has only three dedicated burn units, hospitals may need to stabilize and treat patients longer before transfer.

To support care teams, experts from The University of Kansas Health System's Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center recently provided just-in-time burn care training during a regional hospital capacity call. Download the training deck and view American Burn Association guidelines for burn referral. Also, hear from burn specialist Julia C. Slater, M.D., who shares safety tips to help prevent fireworks injuries and explains what to do if someone is burned.

Learn more about Kansas City regional burn centers:

• The University of Kansas Health System’s Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center is the region’s only nationally verified burn center by the American Burn Association.
• Children's Mercy operates the only designated Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and the only burn unit devoted exclusively to pediatric patients between St. Louis and Denver.
• Research Medical Center has an eight-bed dedicated burn unit and a burn surgical suite, providing access to specialized burn care for serious burn injuries, complex wounds and related conditions.

Heat Exhaustion

With summer temperatures rising, providers can access ready-to-use public messaging and educational materials about heat exhaustion and prevention.

Infection Prevention

Resources are available to help clinicians evaluate and treat patients with potential travel-related or high-consequence infections.

• Global Infectious Disease Events Dashboard: A resource that tracks emerging infectious threats worldwide, helping clinicians stay aware of evolving risks that may affect travelers or returning patients.
• CDC Yellow Book: A widely recognized and regularly updated reference that provides evidence-based recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and management of travel-related illnesses. 

Health care systems will continue to play a critical role in keeping patients, visitors and communities safe throughout the tournament. To support this regional effort, the Missouri and Kansas hospital associations and their partners will continue to inform hospitals about available resources, health care impacts and other emerging issues as the World Cup continues. 

• To date, the region has not seen any significant increases in emergency department or urgent care visits.   
• Of note, Community Blood Centers reported a 25% drop in blood donations during the past week, leaving just a two-day supply of O negative blood, the universal blood type used in emergencies. This decline is especially concerning given that the region is currently in trauma season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), which is a time when hospitals typically see increased demand for blood products. Local donors are being encouraged to donate now.
• Public health monitoring: In coordination with local organizations, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) continue to conduct wastewater surveillance, monitoring for potentially harmful viruses and bacteria. Current levels remain very low or not detectable, which is encouraging and suggests no emerging public health concerns at this time.
  • Learn more about the KDHE wastewater surveillance program.
  • Learn more about DHSS’ wastewater surveillance program.
• With visitors arriving from around the world, language support remains a priority. News outlets estimate approximately 70 languages will be spoken by players, spectators and media during the tournament, and area hospitals remain prepared through in-person and digital translation services used to regularly support hundreds of languages, including American Sign Language. 

Health care systems will continue to play a critical role in keeping patients, visitors and communities safe throughout the tournament. To support this regional effort, the Missouri and Kansas hospital associations and their partners will continue to inform hospitals about available resources, health care impacts and other emerging issues as the World Cup continues. 

With most of the tournament still to go, here is an overview of health care priorities.

• The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team deployed three fully equipped medical tent sites near Kansas City Stadium, Fan Fest and the Power & Light Entertainment District. Staffed by multidisciplinary medical teams, the tents provide urgent care-level treatment, triage and stabilization to reduce strain on local hospitals and 911 services. Equipped with advanced medical technology and supported by state and federal funding, the operation focuses on heat safety, hydration and rapid coordination with the Kansas City Fire Department for higher-acuity cases. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the setup here.
• Event medicine within Kansas City Stadium is available and provided by The University of Kansas Health System, with physicians, nurses, medical assistants and technicians supporting hospitality areas and in-stadium care. Planning has included coordination with EMS and regional hospitals, with daily regional check-ins underway to monitor patient volumes, EMS activity and other indicators throughout the region.
• Heat-related illnesses, allergies, poison exposures and insect-borne diseases (e.g., ticks, mosquitoes) are ongoing concerns.

Note: To mitigate heat-related illness, Kansas City Stadium and FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City are allowing sealed water bottles with access to refill stations to promote adequate fluid intake. Shaded and misting areas also are being utilized to support cooling and reduce heat stress throughout the tournament.

• Other matters of interest for large gatherings include measles (for unvaccinated individuals) and gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus. Experts reiterate that hand hygiene and vaccination are key protections.

Health care systems will continue to play a critical role in keeping patients, visitors and communities safe throughout the tournament. To support this regional effort, the Missouri and Kansas hospital associations and their partners will continue to inform hospitals about available resources, health care impacts and other emerging issues as the World Cup continues.

To support readiness efforts, there are resources available specifically for health care professionals, emergency preparedness leaders, hospital teams and the public.

• The Missouri Hospital Association has assembled training opportunities and preparedness resources to help hospitals prepare for World Cup-related impacts. These resources support emergency management teams, hospital leadership and front-line staff as they evaluate surge capacity, review incident command structures, strengthen communication plans and coordinate with local response partners.
• The Health Alliance of Mid America, a joint venture of MHA and the Kansas Hospital Association, compiled Kansas City region-specific resources including guidance related to emergency response, patient surge planning, public health coordination, workforce preparedness and caring for diverse patient populations. KHA and MHA also developed a country-specific health care culture overview to support hospitals in understanding cultural expectations and care norms for patients arriving from abroad.
• The Missouri Health Matters Health & Safety Guide offers practical information to help communities prepare for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament. The guide highlights important public health considerations, including heat-related illness prevention, travel health concerns, personal safety, emergency preparedness and strategies for navigating large crowds and major events. Hospital staff can use these resources to educate patients, families and community partners while reinforcing public health messaging before and during the tournament.

MHA and its partners will continue to inform hospitals of resources available, health care impacts and other emerging issues throughout the event.

Key Takeaways for Clinical Alignment

• Consult Before Collecting: Hospitals are asked to contact DHSS (1-800-392-0272) or their local public health agency for authorization before any testing or specimen collection for suspected cases.
• Immediate Containment: Suspected patients require immediate isolation; please ensure pneumatic tube systems are explicitly avoided for handling suspected specimens.
• Centralized Logistics: To reduce the logistical burden on local facilities, DHSS and the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory will coordinate all Category A (UN 2814) shipping and chain of custody.
• Readiness Verification: We encourage leaders to verify that Identify, Isolate and Inform protocols are active, and your front-line teams are comfortable with that process.

Health care providers with questions or concerns regarding suspected cases should contact their local public health agency or the DHSS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (available 24/7). MHA updated its website and will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates as additional information becomes available.

The CDC health advisory includes guidance related to patient screening, infection prevention and control precautions, isolation procedures, and reporting protocols for suspected cases.

Health care providers with questions or concerns regarding suspected cases should contact their local public health agency or the DHSS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (available 24/7). The Missouri Hospital Association updated its website and will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates as additional information becomes available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing situational awareness updates. The federal government, through a Title 42 Order, has implemented enhanced travel screenings and entry precautions at domestic airports and certain entry restrictions for non-U.S. passport holders as a precautionary measure to manage potential cross-border transmission. At this time, there are no confirmed cases in the United States, and the overall risk to the public remains very low.

Health care entities are encouraged to continue maintaining the “Identify, Isolate and Inform” strategy, including asking travel questions, as an essential strategy for patient management and care. The Missouri Hospital Association updated its website and will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as additional information becomes available.

A small group of American passengers has been safely repatriated to a specialized National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska for observation, and individuals who tested positive or are symptomatic have been transferred to biocontainment units at this time. This is a highly controlled, precautionary measure to ensure any potential cases are managed without risk to the community. At this time, there are no confirmed cases in Missouri, and the overall risk to the public remains very low. 

MHA developed a SBAR report, will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates should there be major changes in the situation. 

The session will take place Wednesday, March 25, in the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room. An in-person option will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a 30-minute lunch and networking time at the beginning. A virtual option also is available that starts at 11:30 a.m.

KC2026 partnered with The University of Kansas Health System to serve as the Official Medical Services Provider for the Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City. This partnership builds on planning efforts already underway and will expand regional coordination in several important areas. 

During this educational session, Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, along with Host City Health and Medical co-lead Bryan Beaver, M.D., will discuss health care planning for the World Cup events coming to the Midwest. Our regional strength lies in our ability to collaborate, and your hospital's participation will help us collectively address the health and medical needs in our region during the FIFA World Cup 26^™ in Kansas City. Register today.

The changes appear in TJC’s Environment of Care Standard EC.02.03.03, EP 3, for ambulatory care organizations, assisted living communities, nursing care centers, behavioral health care and human services organizations, and home care organizations. The revisions also apply to hospitals and critical access hospitals, according to Physical Environment Standard PE.03.01.01, EP 3.

Questions can be directed to your TJC account representative or TJC’s Department of Standards and Survey Methods.

Health care providers should refer to the CDC health advisory for recommendations for infection control measures and diagnostic testing. Providers should report any suspected measles cases to their local health department immediately, preferably while the patient is still at the clinic or facility.

Although partial completion is technically possible, it is strongly recommended that teams complete the survey in one session, as returning later may not always work. Printed versions may differ due to question logic built into the online survey.

If teams experience any issues, they can email Ron Frazier or Zach LaForce.

The survey must be completed by Friday, Feb. 13, to meet Office of National Drug Control Policy deadlines. HIDTA appreciates your participation and will share the compiled report once completed.

CMS is working to build on lessons learned during the COVID-19 public health emergency by “exploring ways to reduce reliance on foreign-made medical supplies and enhance the nation’s readiness for future emergencies while supporting American workers and manufacturers.” CMS is seeking comments about the following.

• useful alternatives to self-attestation on the Medicare cost report used to obtain designation approval
• definition of “domestic” for PPE and essential medicines
• criteria for determining a sufficient supply of PPE and essential medicines
• barriers hospitals may face
• considerations for phasing in the policy over time

Comments from the public must be received within 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.

KC2026 has partnered with The University of Kansas Health System to serve as the Official Medical Services Provider for the Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City. This partnership builds on existing planning efforts and will enhance regional coordination in several key areas.

Several trainings and resources are available to support clinicians, front-line staff, emergency planners and other health care staff as they prepare for the World Cup.

• Infectious Disease Preparedness 2026 Echo: Game Plan For Health!
• AWR 167: Sport and Special Event Risk Management and Planning
• Thinking Ahead of the World Cup: Radiological/Nuclear Emergency Hospital Preparedness
• MGT 467: Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
• MGT 412: Sport Venue Evacuation and Protective Actions
• MGT 404: Sports and Special Events Incident Management
• Intentional Attack Awareness for Special Events and Large Gatherings

In addition, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment updated its Health and Travel information on its website. The department also issued a new Domestic and International Infectious Disease Report that provides a summary of priority infectious disease activity related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Missouri Hospital Association members who have questions about Kansas City World Cup planning and coordination may email Brett Moorehouse, executive director of the Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council.

• Strengthen the workforce and reinforce a “One ASPR” culture.
• Strengthen preparedness through state and local resiliency.
• Execute rapid, efficient and adaptive federal response.
• Secure America’s medical supply chain.
• Address emerging health security threats.

This plan sets the federal direction for strengthening health security and emergency preparedness nationwide. Through these goals, ASPR aims to drive a more integrated, well‑resourced and strategically aligned health care readiness environment, one in which hospitals play a central operational role.

For more than 20 years, MHA has received ASPR Hospital Preparedness Program funding to support hospitals and health care coalitions as part of its emergency preparedness and safety portfolio. While the plan mentions rescoping the HPP, it does not outline the specific changes.

MHA will closely monitor federal updates to assess potential impacts on our programming and on the hospitals we serve.

• Missouri reported 8,986 flu cases (up from 5,876).
• Hospital admissions rose to 384 (up from 111).
• Influenza‑like illness accounted for 11.1% of emergency department visits (baseline: 2.4%).

MHA is monitoring these trends and will share updates as needed.

With respiratory virus activity rising, hospitals are urged to review their status and make appropriate updates and maintain situational awareness in the seasonal RVI Operational Impact Status in EMResource. Accurate, timely reporting helps identify operational challenges early and ensures hospitals receive appropriate support.

During National Health Care Supply Chain Week (Oct. 5–11), Missouri hospitals are encouraged to celebrate the importance of health care supply chain professionals by  honoring them for their exceptional contributions and the innovative ways they support their health care organizations and patients.

“Supply chain may not be bedside, but we are involved with patient care. We wouldn’t be where we are today without our supply chain teams,” said Josh Gilbert, director of supply chain at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and member of the Missouri Association of Healthcare Purchasing and Materials Management.

The 2025 theme of the week is “Confidence in every decision, care in every step.”

Managing the supply chain — from daily operations to emergencies

Missouri hospitals blend strategic planning with real-time responsiveness to manage supply chain risks. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations of “just-in-time” ordering, but stockpiling isn’t always financially feasible either, according to Kara Amann, director of hospital preparedness programs at the Missouri Hospital Association.

Amann recommended prioritizing critical items and managing less essential supplies through standard procurement processes. Larger systems may have the ability to forecast global trends, but smaller hospitals can mitigate shortages by increasing Periodic Automatic Replenishment levels and rotating stock.

“We try to keep a reserve of emergency supplies on hand at all times, but to be fully prepared is almost impossible,” Gilbert said.

Balancing cost and quality

Finding a balance between cost-efficiency and high-quality, reliable supplies is a constant challenge for hospitals, especially as supply chain costs often rank just behind labor in a hospital’s overall budget.

Both Amann and Gilbert emphasized the importance of leveraging group purchasing organizations, which allows facilities to access broader networks and negotiate better terms.

“Utilizing your GPO contracts will aid in keeping an eye on your supply cost,” Gilbert said, noting that those agreements helped Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center maintain costs due to tariff increases on certain medical items.

Amann also recommended supply chain departments engage clinical staff in supply decisions, automate processes and build strong vendor relationships.

Overcoming supply chain vulnerabilities

Missouri hospitals navigate numerous challenges in the supply chain, including cybersecurity threats (especially to vendors), dependencies on single-source providers, raw material shortages and manual systems still in use at some hospitals that can limit efficiency, Amann said.

Many vendors require minimum order quantities that smaller facilities simply can't meet, and existing contracts may restrict flexibility, Amann said. Some hospitals contract with secondary vendors for limited supplies.

Long distances from distribution centers mean rural hospitals, like Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, must work harder to maintain steady inventory, often without the luxury of quick replenishment, Gilbert said.

“We have to keep in constant communication with our suppliers to avoid back orders wherever possible,” he said.

To support statewide supply chain resilience, Missouri hospitals and health systems are encouraged to report disruptions using MHA’s Supply Chain Shortage Reporting Tool. This tool provides early visibility into shortages and strengthens MHA’s advocacy efforts with credible, hospital-sourced data.

Supply chain resilience is a hospital-wide effort

A resilient supply chain depends on collaboration across several hospital departments. Amann suggested supply chain teams build strong relationships with other hospital units before disruptions occur.

“It is important to have a broad network of support to inform supply chain management decisions,” Amann said.

Gilbert also suggested forming value analysis teams that include supply chain, finance, clinical and nonclinical leaders, as well as keeping the communication lines open and honest with all stakeholders.

How to celebrate Supply Chain Week

This week serves as a reminder that the supply chain touches every corner of hospital life and encourages hospitals to celebrate their supply chain team.

The Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management offers webinars and a social media toolkit to help hospitals celebrate.

MAHPMM provides a forum for health care purchasing and materials management professionals to exchange ideas and grow through education. Those interested in joining MAHPMM should contact Christy Carel, MHA’s director of membership services.

Want to learn more? Listen to MHA’s PolicyHuddle podcast or explore AHRMM’s podcast series for deeper insights into the health care supply chain.

Building on a strong foundation, the academy model will continue to deliver essential orientation content in emergency preparedness, infection prevention and quality leadership, while expanding opportunities for learning and professional growth.

The new framework adds flexibility to cover additional safety-related fields, provide timely training on emerging issues and tailor sessions to member needs. 
 
The academy model will: 

• ensure consistent, high-quality orientation across disciplines,
• create a clear pathway for ongoing learning beyond orientation,
• introduce specialty and emerging-topic sessions as needed, and
• support members in building expertise and leadership capacity. 

More details on enrollment, curriculum tracks and session dates will be shared soon. 

The 2025 theme, Preparedness Starts at Home, focuses on getting back to the essentials of preparedness. Whether it’s updating a go-bag, reviewing evacuation routes or ensuring access to medications and medical records, preparedness begins with simple, proactive steps taken at home.

During disasters and emergencies, hospitals play a central role in coordinating and delivering health care services that are essential to Missouri’s emergency preparedness and response efforts.

“As members of the communities in which they serve, hospital staff need their own individual plans so they can contribute their knowledge, skills and abilities when a crisis strikes,” said Robert Loseman, vice president of safety and preparedness with the Missouri Hospital Association. “We’re only as good as our teams.”

This month, Missouri hospitals are encouraged to share National Preparedness Month resources and other ready.gov and Ready in 3 materials with their staff to build individual resilience.

In addition, hospitals should consider the following.

• Host trainings and workshops: Offer sessions on emergency response protocols, family preparedness planning or mental health resilience during disasters. 
• Share resources: Distribute preparedness checklists, educational materials and toolkits to staff, patients and the broader community.
• Engage on social media: Use your platforms to share tips, highlight local preparedness events and amplify the message that readiness starts at home.

Throughout September, hospitals should celebrate the month internally with their staff and externally with patients, partners and the public. Now also is an ideal time to recognize your hospital’s emergency preparedness staff.

Strengthening hospital preparedness

Missouri’s hospitals and health systems are encouraged to use this important month to review, refine and reinforce their emergency readiness. Additionally, National Preparedness Month provides a prime opportunity to reassess facility plans, resources and training, ensuring they align with current best practices and meet regulatory requirements.

“Preparedness is more than a once-a-year task,” Loseman said. “Let this month be the starting point for sustained improvements and year-round follow-up.”

Hospital teams can use National Preparedness Month to do the following.

• Review and update emergency operations plans to reflect lessons learned from recent incidents and regulatory changes.
• Verify staff training and competencies in critical areas such as incident command, evacuation, shelter-in-place and continuity of operations.
• Test communication systems to ensure rapid coordination with internal teams and external partners.
• Assess supply chain resilience for essential medications, personal protective equipment and supplies. Make sure to report shortages in the MHA Supply Chain Shortage Reporting Tool.
• Engage in scenario-based drills to identify gaps before they become real-world problems.
• Engage with your health care coalition to increase regional emergency readiness across the health care continuum.

Even small steps, like confirming contact lists, reviewing infection control protocols or conducting a tabletop exercise, can have a significant impact when seconds count, said Kara Amann, MHA’s director of hospital preparedness programs.

Whole-community preparedness is key to coordinating emergency planning, according to Amann. Everyone from hospital leaders and front-line staff to emergency management teams to supply chain partners and public health agencies should be engaged.

“In health care, this means aligning priorities, strengthening partnerships and ensuring everyone knows their role before the moment when it matters most,” she said.

MHA resources available

MHA offers many resources to help establish hospital readiness, including guidance on hazard preparedness for infectious disease response, violent incident response and supply chain resilience.

A Health Care Preparedness Professional Orientation Timeline is available for onboarding and training. MHA also facilitates the Missouri Health Care Coalition to enhance coordination and collaboration among health care organizations within a similar geographic region.

In addition, the Missouri Hospital Mutual Aid Agreement enables inter-hospital support during disasters.

Learning from the past

“National Preparedness Month is a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and recognize ongoing efforts to create prepared and resilient organizations,” Loseman said.

Learning from past experiences and implementing continued improvement is essential for a successful preparedness program, Loseman and Amann noted. Reflecting on the recent 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina or the 2011 Joplin tornado offers insight to much of the foundations of today’s health care preparedness strategies.

“Other incidents that impacted your hospital or health care facility can offer additional perspectives and practices to implement as part of your preparedness program,” Amann said.

Learn more

For additional guidance on emergency preparedness, check out the list of Missouri Partner Resources and information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on MHA’s website.

“Make preparedness part of your September safety agenda to ensure your facility is ready and staff are alert to appropriately respond to the unexpected,” Loseman said.

In health care, emergency management is especially vital, requiring expertise and seamless coordination to safeguard patients and maintain continuity of care during crises. This work extends beyond immediate response — it encompasses ongoing preparedness, mitigation and recovery within the health care system.

The Missouri Hospital Association offers robust emergency preparedness and response resources to support hospital readiness, including the following.

• Administrative support and user access to EMResource and eICS for real-time situational awareness and resource tracking
• Guidance on hazard preparedness for infectious disease response, violent incident response and supply chain resilience
• Facilitation of the Missouri Health Care Coalition to enhance coordination and collaboration
• Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) tools for effective incident management and coordination
• A Health Care Preparedness Professional Orientation Timeline for onboarding and training
• Mutual Aid Agreements to enable inter-hospital support during disasters

Emergency management professionals at Missouri hospitals are encouraged to leverage both IAEM’s national campaign and MHA’s localized resources to strengthen their outreach, preparedness and advocacy efforts this August.

During this interim period, Pfizer is implementing its Medical Request Process to ensure the product is distributed equitably to hospitals and clinics treating patients with the highest medical necessity. On July 14, the FDA revised a drug shortage notice for Bicillin, indicating delay in shipment of the drug as the reason for the shortage.

This recall and potential shortage are of particular concern as Bicillin L-A is the only drug recommended for the treatment of syphilis during pregnancy. For other uses of Bicillin L-A, such as treatment of strep throat or other bacterial infections, alternatives such as doxycycline can be used.

Treatment of syphilis in pregnant individuals is critical to prevent the spread of infection to the newborn, also known as congenital syphilis. If not treated, syphilis during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth and other adverse effects in newborns. Increased rates of congenital syphilis may be further complicated by the potential shortage of Bicillin, especially with the antibiotic being a key part of the strategy to attempt to reduce rates. 

Missouri has seen a sharp increase in rates of congenital syphilis since 2019, with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issuing a health update in February 2024.