This study focuses on the issues that should be addressed when preparing a disaster preparedness plan. In addition, it gives an insight to the information and processes involved in preparing the disaster preparedness plan. These include mitigation measures, preparedness, response and recovery. The study reveals some vital information that may be required when drafting the disaster preparedness plan for the health care industry.
Introduction
Natural disasters refer to those disasters that occur close to people structures and economic assets. They are caused by either geological, biological, hydrological conditions or through natural processes such as tsunami, earthquakes and landslides. Disaster preparedness is defined as the measures that are employed in order to reduce the effects of disasters (Maiden, Thompson & Paul, 2007). In addition, prediction is done to allow mitigation of the adverse impacts of the disasters to be carried out mainly in areas where populations are more susceptible to the effects of the catastrophe. Furthermore, for disaster preparedness to be carried out, varieties of resources need to be used. This could include logistics, training, healthcare or even organization development.
Disaster preparedness usually has a certain number of goals to accomplish. Firstly, disaster preparedness is aimed at increasing effectiveness and impact of emergency response at all levels be it at the community or national level. This is achieved through education of officials and populations at risk, establishment of regular warning systems and formulation of policies to be implemented after the disaster.
Moreover, disaster preparedness is also focused on empowering the affected communities or populations on how to deal with disasters. In addition, the community is educated on ways they can prepare for disasters through using available local mechanisms. Furthermore, disaster addresses common issues in communities ranging from health to social welfare. Activities on mitigating these issues are developed in the process.
Discussion
In order to develop a disaster preparedness plan, an understanding of the disaster management cycle is essential. There are four phases involved in the disaster management cycle. These are mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Mitigation (Phase I)
Mitigation encompasses those measures taken prior to the disaster to reduce its effect. These mitigation measures are either structural or non-structural. Structural measures include construction projects such as building dams for purposes of reducing social and economic impacts. Mitigation can also involve vulnerability analysis, reviewing of safety codes and building use regulations. A number of tools can be used to reduce the undesirable effects of natural disasters. These include economic diversification, hazard management and vulnerability reduction.
Hazard Management and Vulnerability Analysis
Dealing with hazard management requires employing the best preventative strategy for the most likely situation. In addition, an understanding of the nature of the likely disaster is essential in determining the mitigation measures to adopt. Some of the most significant mitigation measures in the healthcare industry are use of advanced technology, which monitors the conditions of patients. Use of these technologies provides essential signals to the health practitioners who in the process can respond to attend to the patients immediately. In addition, these technologies require a substantial amount of investment to acquire and use (Veenema, 2007).
For the operations of these technologies in the hospitals, sufficient power is required. In case of any power outages, a backup generator should be provided. Vital patient information and insurance policies for the patients should be kept in a safe place. Furthermore, vulnerability assessment will assist largely in achieving the mitigation targets. For instance, use of alternative standard clinical procedures may help to save a patient life in unusual scenarios. However, lack of educating nurses on how to use the new technologies may result to disasters, which could have been easily controlled.
Preparedness (Phase II)
Disaster preparedness involves preparation of plans and implementation of mitigation measures. Other activities involved in disaster preparedness include training of nurses and other crucial health care stakeholders on the best procedures to follow in case of a disaster (Karim & Jalal, 2011). In addition, rehearsal and appropriate disaster plans for disaster-specific scenarios should be formulated as in the case of war victims or bombing attacks (Seyedin, Ryan & Keshtgar, 2011). Furthermore, in situations where the disaster is a chemical or biological contamination, physical measures need to be put implemented to contain the situation (Ray, 2006). Health care institutions need to have an emergency operation plan that clearly outlines standard procedures. This should be used in case various disasters occur. CDC plays a pivotal role in public health preparedness for catastrophic because of its distinctive abilities to take action against infectious, occupational, or environmental outbreaks and events. (CDC, 2012).
Response and Recovery (Phase III and IV)
Response and recovery to a disaster is directed towards meeting the requirements of the people affected while further sustainable solutions are being sort. Response is aimed at providing the immediate help in order to maintain and preserve life. Response is mainly dome by humanitarian organizations such as Red Cross that offers medical care for the injured before other medical alternatives are available. In case of an accident, the paramedic who responds to the scene of the accident should be equipped to handle any complications and ensure that the victims arrive at the hospital in a stable condition. Incorporation of technologies such as cell phones and geospatial information system can help in response and recovery activities.
Findings
Important information that may be essential in drafting the disaster preparedness plan includes responsibilities to be undertaken by the different personnel. In addition, the plan should take into account local healthcare structure and its functions during emergencies. Furthermore, the role of organizations such non-governmental and governmental that are responsible in the healthcare industry should be considered in the plan(Seyedin, Ryan & Keshtgar, 2011). Special measure to be used in conditions such as winter should be outlines in the plan.
Conclusion
Disaster preparedness and response largely depend on collecting, analysis and acting on time using accurate information before and after the disasters. Response to disasters is a key task for the health care industry (Gurman, Chhinzer & Smith, 2011). Having a disaster preparedness plan will assist in reducing the effects of disasters. In the process, this makes what would otherwise have been a more stressful experience more bearable.
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