Hospital Roles in Community Emergencies

Healthcare facilities should focus on the following key areas when conducting planning  

Communication—Assess the ability of the organization to maintain communications within the organization and with all appropriate community disaster resource agencies 

Resources and assets—Develop plans to access necessary materials, supplies, vendors, community resources, and government support if necessary to sustain operations such as patient care, safety, and medical services 

Safety and security—Create contingency plans to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients, staff, and visitors during emergencies and disasters 

Staff responsibilities—Design appropriate curriculums to orient, educate, or train staff members about their changing roles and demands during emergency incidents 

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