Emergency and Medical Planning

Emergency and medical planning should be a part of your written safety and health program. This may not be the ideal location for this topic, but there seemed to be no other area within this book where it lit any better. Make sure that you make emergency and fire response and medical care for your workers a part of any safety and health initiative. 

Before reading this section, you should evaluate your emergency and medical planning by circling the number that best represents the state of your safety and health effort. 

Emergency planning and preparation 5 There is an effective emergency response plan and employees know how to respond immediately as a result of effective planning, training, and drills 

Emergency equipment 5 Facility is fully equipped for emergencies all systems and equipment are in place and regularly tested 1 personnel know how to use equipment and communicate during emergencies 

Medical program (health providers) 5 Occupational health providers are regularly on-site and fully involved 

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Mention is made of planning for emergencies and medical facilities in other sections of the ILO/OSH document. 

Department of Health and Human Services Health and Medical Services Support Plan for the Federal Response Acts of Chemical/Biological (C/B) Terrorism. Washington, D.C. Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), undated. 

We pointed out earlier that most emergency plans address fire, medical emergencies, and the accidental release or spills of hazardous materials. Note that the development of emergency response plans should also factor in other possible emergencies— natural disasters, floods, explosions, and/or weather-related events that could occur and certainly will occur. Now, emergency response to terrorist activity or threats must also be added to the list. 

Administration, Change of planned procedures Surgical, Diagnostic, Hospitalization, Consultations, Visits, Increase donor service for doctors and medical personnel. Use of emergency reserves. 

Levitin, H. W., Siegelson, H. J. (1996). Hazardous materials Disaster medical planning and response. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 14(2), 327-347. 

Has primary responsibility for public health and medical emergency planning, preparations and response to a naturally occurring outbreak from an emerging infectious disease and its own authority to declare a public health emergency. 

Emergency health services (EHS) constitutes a critical element of the medical response to disasters and their planning is a key component of community disaster preparedness. This chapter reviews the characteristics of... 

All hospitals and medical facilities are vulnerable to MCls. Emergency nurses with requisite skills and knowledge, hospitals with the proper resources and plans, and... 

Emergency medical services (EMS) arriving onscene following a disaster or mass casualty event must have pediatric equipment, supplies, and medications to effectively treat the ill or injured children. The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) Program has developed equipment guidelines for the prehospital care of pediatric patients. Scene safety, field command, and search and rescue attempts are enacted in accordance with predetermined EMS disaster plans. 

Response A contingent plan should be developed while the confirmation is taking place. This should include the release of precautionary notices and readiness to implement an emergency response plan. Should a biological threat be confirmed, a procedure (planned and practiced) should be implemented for remedial action. This would include authority and public notification, containment, and/or diversion of the water, and medical alert and response. 

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