Continuity of Operations Planning for BJC Health System

Project Overview

Since 2019, Hagerty has worked with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) and BJC Health System (BJC) to advance its mission and emergency preparedness goals through a range of projects and staffing support. Most recently, BJC’s Emergency Preparedness Department engaged Hagerty to develop a system-level Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan to serve its entire health system.

Following BJC’s recent merger with Saint Luke’s Health System, the newly combined organization faced the challenge of aligning business continuity priorities across two previously independent business models. Hagerty was asked to help unify these approaches into one resilient framework that could support the system’s critical services during disruptions.

Understanding the Mission

BJC recognized that its responsibility to patients and communities required a continuity program capable of sustaining essential services under any circumstances. The merger with Saint Luke’s Hospital System presented a unique opportunity to establish an integrated COOP program that consolidated and optimized shared services across both organizations.

To support this mission, BJC asked Hagerty to help develop a unified COOP Plan designed to minimize downtime of essential functions and enhance organizational resilience across regions. Ultimately, these efforts would help position BJC to strengthen system-wide efficiency and deliver uninterrupted, high-quality care during crises.

The Hagerty Approach

Hagerty provided proven expertise in continuity planning to guide BJC through a comprehensive, seven-month planning process. Working closely with BJC’s Emergency Preparedness department, the team gathered input on mission essential functions from 12 shared services departments and over 100 BJC personnel.

Through a comprehensive and strategic approach, we concentrated on four key areas of information collection, including personnel, facilities, technology, and resources. This process equipped BJC leadership with the information and analysis needed to make informed decisions and prioritize the restoration of essential functions.

Achieving Results

The outcome was a strategic, system-wide COOP framework that positions BJC to continue delivering critical healthcare services during and after disruptive events. Key achievements included:

• Aligned continuity planning across East and West regions, increasing efficiency and minimizing duplication of efforts.
• Identification of service efficiencies that helped BJC discover new, streamlined ways of operating shared services.
• Addressing continuity gaps by highlighting areas for future investment and resource allocation.

This was the first joint continuity effort for the merged health system, and Hagerty’s collaborative approach ensured staff across the organization were engaged and empowered to contribute to the plan’s success.

Hagerty’s Ongoing Support

Hagerty continues to support BJC and BJH through staff augmentation in Emergency Management and Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) programs. This multifaceted support enhances BJH’s capacity to respond effectively to infectious disease emergencies while maintaining the health and safety of patients, staff, and the broader community.

Additionally, the Hagerty team provides ongoing assistance in emergency preparedness planning, training, and exercises, helping BJC advance its mission and achieve its emergency preparedness initiatives. This includes Incident Command System (ICS) training to strengthen hospital readiness for emergency response, as well as the development of after-action reports (AARs) following real-world incidents.