Warning: are you prepared to lose your ED after a natural disaster?
Natural catastrophes that can lead to loss of the ED itself are often overlooked in disaster plans and drills. Plans should address evacuation of patients, including transportation and equipment to take, and drills should include these scenarios. You should have alternatives to cope with loss of power and communications, such as oxygen-powered backup generators. To prepare for a deluge of individuals coming to the ED after a disaster, decide how to utilize volunteers, and limit access by using disaster identification vests. New Environment of Care standards from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations require you to perform a hazard and vulnerability analysis.
D002140:California; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy; D013685:Telecommunications; D013781:Texas