(5/3/2024)
Hospitals across the U.S. responded to large scale natural disasters in 2023. Handling the unexpected is at the core of healthcare, but proactive preparation leads to a more effective and streamlined response when a disaster impacts operations. No matter the facility or disaster, the three steps are critical when implementing disaster preparedness plans.
Hospitals across the U.S. responded to large scale natural disasters in 2023, including tornadoes, hurricanes, hail storms, and more that impacted facility operations. Handling the unexpected is at the core of healthcare, but proactive preparation leads to a more effective and streamlined response when a disaster impacts operations.
Fortunately, governmental agencies provide a wealth of resources to help facility managers prepare for, weather, and recover from disasters. One longstanding resource from the Department of Health and Human Services’ U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is “Primary Protection: Enhancing Health Care Resilience for a Changing Climate.” This report was designed specifically to help “healthcare providers, design professionals, policymakers, and others with roles and responsibilities in assuring the continuity of quality health and human care before, during, and after extreme weather events.” Additional reports, guides, and toolkits enhance this information to provide a thorough and adaptable plan for all healthcare facilities.
No matter the facility or disaster, the three steps are critical when implementing disaster preparedness plans.
Empower facility teams to respond effectively.
The most important aspect of emergency management preparedness is ensuring team members understand how to follow the plan depending on the needs of the situation. Developing an all-hazards plan creates standardized practices for the early stages of a disaster that streamline response efforts. This helps guide the team through the process of communicating updates and coordinating resources among the team and with local law enforcement, emergency services, and nearby facilities during a crisis.
Facility-wide efforts generate a sustained state of readiness. Medxcel’s Emergency Preparedness & Safety model is integrated with facility management and environment of care solutions to create whole hospital accountability. Our standardized process, which we have implemented in facilities across 23 states, drives efficiency by promoting a culture of compliance to reduce the risks of damage, harm, and downtime. Aligning the team with a collaborative approach has a direct impact on the financial health of an organization by reducing costs associated with staff, visitor, and patient injuries.
Assess risk factors unique to each facility.
The emergency preparedness plan for each facility should reflect elements such as location and facility size while also accounting for broader trends. While natural disasters have traditionally seasonally impacted specific regions such as tornado season in the Midwest and hurricane season on the East Coast, emergency weather events are becoming less predictable. Health systems now face new vulnerabilities due to these inconsistent weather patterns. In response to dynamic risk factors, healthcare leaders must prioritize re-evaluating emergency plans and policies regularly.
The Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) Risk Identification and Site Criticality (RISC) Toolkit supports healthcare leaders in developing emergency preparedness plans based on the risks most prevalent to their facilities. For facilities at a higher risk for specific natural disasters, healthcare leaders can take proactive measures and turn to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, which can cover a portion of the costs for disaster damage prevention efforts to support both the physical facility and the community.
Create a support network.
By prioritizing partnerships and local connections, healthcare organizations are able to act as an essential resource for the community and remain resilient and solution-oriented during crises such as natural disasters. Establishing strategic relationships with suppliers and community-based partners can have a significant impact when access to resources and information is limited. For example, as a national organization, Medxcel has a key partnership with a meteorology company that delivers accurate and detailed forecasts to help determine when and how the weather will impact the area and whether evacuation is necessary.
With Medxcel’s dedicated focus on our people and customers, we are uniquely suited to work with your organization and ensure you are prepared for any storm. Learn how Medxcel can support your healthcare organization to prepare for emergencies by requesting a consultation.