These back-to-back disasters led to substantial damage and disrupted many supply chains, especially for the healthcare industry. Baxter International found itself in the path of Hurricane Helene. The damage to a manufacturing facility shut down production, raising concerns among healthcare providers about a nationwide shortage of IV fluids.[i] This shortage left providers scrambling to find ways to conserve their supply, including in some cases providing alternative options like Gatorade or plain water to their patients.[ii]

While not all parts of the U.S. are vulnerable to hurricanes, every single healthcare facility faces the threat of some type of emergency or disruption to its supply chain. For continuum of care (CoC) healthcare providers, emergency planning is vital.

Emergency Preparedness for Continuum of Care Providers

While many CoC providers may not require the same large-scale response to disasters as hospitals, disruptive events can affect all healthcare facilities. In addition to patient care priorities, failure to safeguard patients or protected health information, even in emergency conditions, could lead to liability for causing patient injury or breaches of confidentiality.

Whether from workplace violence, fire, explosions, hurricanes, floods or a global pandemic, if disaster strikes, a well-designed action plan will protect patients and staff, safeguard health information, minimize disruption, and provide for successful recovery.

Solutions to Put in Place for Disasters[iii]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a 2016 rule establishing emergency preparedness requirements that apply to all healthcare providers[iv]. The regulation outlined four core elements designed to increase patient safety during emergencies and create a coordinated response to disasters.

1. Develop your Emergency Plan

Conduct a thorough analysis of potential disasters that could impact your facility. This should include an assessment of patient, staff, and physical plant safety, as well as the security of medical and business records. Consider any nearby hazards, such as rivers that might overflow or volatile chemical plants. Be sure to keep it simple and assign each staff member specific responsibilities.

2. Develop Policies and Procedures

Keep important documents like loans and contracts in a safe place and document their location. Prepare for potential office repairs and extended absences with contingency plans. Record the disaster event and affected patient records, noting recovery efforts for legal or accreditation purposes. Review insurance coverage for repairs, record restoration, and setting up a temporary practice.

3. Establish a Communication Plan

It’s essential to keep in constant communication with key individuals such as physicians and advanced healthcare professionals, patients, vendors, and staff. Ensure phone lines are operational or quickly restored, and update patients and staff via phone messages. Develop contingency plans to communicate if phone lines and internet aren’t working.

4. Prepare, Train, Test

Train staff on their emergency roles. Conduct drills twice a year and always seek ways to enhance your emergency response.

Innovatix: Your Source for Disaster Preparedness Solutions

Our disaster preparedness contracts include companies certified in emergency response and restoration activities. These suppliers will respond to many types of disasters, including flooding, fire, mold, and storms. Our Disaster Preparedness portfolio includes the following suppliers: