With September being National Emergency Preparedness Awareness Month, it’s a good time for a refresher on emergency preparedness and to generate new ideas for what to do in cases of emergency. It’s a great time to look over your emergency preparedness plan and make some adjustments.
The implementation and effectiveness of an emergency preparedness plan (EPP) is vital for hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities, along with individuals and families at home.
Quality Improvement Organizations play a vital role in developing and maintaining partnerships between frontline healthcare providers and agencies that aid and services to people affected by disasters.
If you have any questions about your state’s QIN QIO, visit https://qioprogram.org/locate-your-qin-qio.
An emergency preparedness plan for medical and long-term care facilities should be based on these core elements of Risk Assessment and Emergency Planning, Communication Plan, Policies and Procedures, and Training and Testing.
Risk Assessment (including but not limited to)
- Hazards likely in geographic area
- Care-related emergencies
- Equipment and Power failures
- Interruption in Communications, including cyber attacks
- Loss of all/portion of facility
- Loss of all/portion of supplies
- Plan is to be reviewed and updated at least annually
Communication plan
- Complies with Federal and State laws
- System to Contact Staff, including patients’ physicians, other necessary persons
- Well-coordinated within the facility, across health care providers, and with state and local public health departments and emergency management agencies
Policies and procedures
- Complies with Federal and State laws
Training and Testing
- Complies with Federal and State laws
- Maintain and at a minimum update annually
Drills and training should be conducted regularly to ensure that all staff, patients, and all other parties at a medical facility are well-informed and prepared to act in case of emergency.
The key to emergency preparedness is Mitigate, Prepare, Respond, and Recover. Here’s a breakdown on what they mean.
Mitigate
Reduce risk from potential hazards
- Identify and share best practices
- Environmental scans of current events
- Assist with incorporation of lessons from after-action reports
Prepare
Engage healthcare providers in activities that are meant to successfully manage:
- Concurrent Disasters
- Climate change driven efforts
- Emerging trends
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Partner/healthcare coalition collaboration
- Flexible, adaptable preparedness teams
Respond
Support and assist with rapid and sustained response
- Supply chain logistics and medical counter measures
- Real time deployment of key guidance through communication channels
- Facilitate collaboration of local, regional, and state support
- Multidisciplinary response teams
Recover
Restore essential functions and return the organization to a safe, new normal
- Resources to support staff, patients, visitors, volunteers and others with trauma support
- Facilitate collaboration to restore operations and infrastructure
- Communications support
- Acute recovery phase plan
- Long term recovery plan
You should regularly check in with government authorities like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local public health and law enforcement, and county Emergency Management to be sure that your emergency preparedness plan syncs up with their guidelines.
It’s also important to be prepared for emergencies that occur while you’re at home.
The American Red Cross recommends you keep a family survival kit full of all essentials, a first aid kit, and make a plan to navigate emergencies. It is important to research your area and understand what disasters are common in the region you live in so that way you can stay informed. Having CPR skills and training can also be vital in emergency situations. A list of preparedness essentials can help save time in emergency situations.
Developing and maintaining crisis management skills will come in handy for emergency situations. These skills include but are not limited to planning, preparation, situational awareness, adaptability, improvisation, and communication.
Compliance doesn’t lead to preparedness, but preparedness will always lead to compliance. The Midwest QIN-QIO can help identify gaps, strengthen contingency plans, and build resilience within your organization. Contact us today!
Resources:
How to Prepare For Emergencies | Be Red Cross Ready | Red Cross
Emergency Preparedness – CMS QIN-QIO
5 Healthcare Disaster Preparedness Tips for Preparedness Month