DISASTER PLAN
Introduction
Disaster preparedness in nursing is important due to the environment that the clinical nurses face on a day to day basis. Nurses play a vital role in communication, coordination and handling health care activities. There are numerous external and internal disasters that nurses can face in their career. The disasters might require proper preparation and strategic planning. Nurses are important in disaster preparedness and readiness in the society.
Analysis
The disaster plan begins from the point of evaluating the possible threats that are likely to occur within a particular geographical region or business. The evaluation is important in creating a good environment where individuals are able to know when to be ready for a disaster and how to react to such disasters (Keim, 2008). The plan explains in details the steps to be taken whenever an emergency occurs within the facility or outside the facility.
Activation of the Plan
In case of a perceived emergency, it will be important for the safety department of the organization to be notified. The safety department shall thus be in charge of activating the disaster management plan as it can determine whether an emergency is critical or not. The activation plan involves alerting every person of the possibility of an emergency which is likely to occur within a working environment. Every person within the unit will need to be relocated to the command center where it is safe to be attended to in case of wounds. The command center is located a few meters away from the medical center (Trzeciak & Rivers, 2003).
Communication of the Plan to the Staff
Communication to the staff will be based on who gets information first. In a state of emergency, the first person who shall take note of the problem shall communicate to the entire team. The person shall ensure that every staff member receives information on the disaster. For example, a case where there is a gas leak. The first person who will notice the leak will inform the disaster management team and also ensure that every person gets the information about it. The plan will be called off once the disaster management team ensures that there are no more threats to the people (Waring & Brown, 2005).
Potential threat to the Plan
The potential threats to the plan include cases where a disaster strikes hard in such a way that mitigation is needed from foreign bodies such as the UN. Insufficient funds can also threaten the quality of care administered to the victims in a disaster situation. The point may also lack sufficient personnel to handle the multiple casualties. Lastly, people lack enough knowledge when it comes to disaster preparedness and management in the society. It is necessary to ensure that all people are enlightened about situations that are likely to occur within a particular working environment and physical environment.
Conclusion
Disasters require manpower, skill and finances to ensure that there is little casualty cases. For administration of quality care during disasters, the organization needs to invest in research and development which will identify the possible disasters that are likely to occur and the way to handle such disasters. Educational institutions should take the lead launching research centers which investigate both human and natural disasters and ways to avoid or prevent damages. Organizations need to ensure that their teams are prepared for cases of emergencies which can cause serious damage to the people and property. The disaster plan is thus important not only in nursing organization, but also all other organizations in the country.
References
Keim, M. E. (2008). Building human resilience: the role of public health preparedness and response as an adaptation to climate change. American journal of preventive medicine, 35(5), 508-516. Keim, M. E. (2008). Building human resilience: the role of public health preparedness and response as an adaptation to climate change. American journal of preventive medicine, 35(5), 508-516.
Trzeciak, S., & Rivers, E. P. (2003). Emergency department overcrowding in the United States: an emerging threat to patient safety and public health. Emergency medicine journal, 20(5), 402-405.
Waring, S. C., & Brown, B. J. (2005). The threat of communicable diseases following natural disasters: a public health response. Disaster Management & Response, 3(2), 41-47.
