Things Are Going To Be Different When The Next Hurricane Comes
By: John A. Stassi II, CommCare Corporation, President & CEO

Emergency preparedness is always top of mind for healthcare officials. Preparedness allays fears and instills confidence – if and when a plan has to be enacted. In long-term care facilities, especially, administration and management carefully plans for emergencies. Facilities can plan for natural disasters prone to their geographic region and plan for other emergencies as well. However, while emergency preparedness is always top of mind, it is especially important during hurricane season. Not only is careful planning necessary for the safety and well being of the facility’s residents, but it is also important to keep in mind the mental, physical and psychological needs of the elderly population.

 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, long-term care facilities and healthcare agencies reevaluated their plans. The John A. Hartford Foundation funded a long-term care "Hurricane Summit," in February 2006. Sponsored by the Florida Health Care Association, summit attendees, included representatives from five Gulf Coast Georgia, a receiving state for hurricane evacuees. Summit attendees evaluated disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for long-term care provider networks and identified gaps that impeded safe resident evacuation and disaster response. The summit identified emergency response system issues that require coordination between long-term care providers and state and federal emergency operations centers. They presented the following aspects as lessons learned and aspects to consider when planning: states and

• Facilitate communication with residents and their families, as well as the staff (in the event of an evacuation).
• Plan and anticipate patient flows from acute care hospitals or provide other resources.
• Factor in the impact of federal, state and local regulations on the ability of nursing homes to offer support.
• Ensure sufficient staff will be available in case of an emergency to care for patients.
• Keep in mind staffing levels may be affected by personal property or transportation loss.
• Prepare for loss of power and running water
• Keep in mind special dietary needs when preparing supplies
• Ensure that the facility is stocked up on supplies including
• Pharmaceutical supplies
• Medical supplies
• Fuel
• Food and water

Post-Katrina, studies and evaluations were done to assess the emergency preparedness policies and procedures of facilities. With these in mind, facilities can learn from and reevaluate their own policies and procedures in the event it is necessary. Creating checklists and constantly evaluating and updating plans is top of mind for these healthcare professionals.  

For more information, please visit:

 

www.ahrq.gov/prep/hurricane.htm

 

www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/hurricanes/index.html

 

 

CommCare Corporation, founded in 1994, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which operates skilled nursing facilities and community mental health centers. CommCare owns and operates Baton Rouge Health Care, Old Jefferson Community Care Center, CMHC of Baton Rouge (Oakhaven), Riverlands Community Care Center , D’Ville House Community Care Center and other skilled nursing facilities throughout the state. CommCare provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care to meet the individual needs of its residents for both long term and short term custodial and rehabilitative care.  For more information, please visit www.commcare.com or call (504) 324-8950.