Special report. The 1994 Southern California earthquake: its continuing impact on area hospitals and some lessons it can teach all hospitals on disaster preparedness.
The massive earthquake that rocked Southern California on January 17 left area hospitals facing both an influx of patients and heavily damaged facilities. Several hospitals were forced to shut down temporarily, although in most cases not before quake victims were triaged and other patients were safely transferred to other facilities. With damage totals still being calculated and repair projects just under way, several hospitals already are evaluating their response to the quake in an effort to be even more prepared should another disaster of that magnitude occur. This special report will provide an overview of the damages suffered by several hospitals; describe the role played by administrators and staff--particularly the security department--in the aftermath of the quake; and offer advice from hospital officials on how to best prepare for an earthquake or another natural disaster and how to function most effectively in the aftermath.
D002140:California; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012637:Security Measures / Q000458:organization & administration*