It is important that the healthcare field prepare for a variety of emergency events that may affect or surge the healthcare system. This may include:
- Interoperable communications systems
- Bed tracking for hospitals
- Personnel management
- Fatality management planning
- Decontamination capabilities
- Isolation capacity
- Pharmaceutical supplies
- Hospital evacuation planning
- Training, education, drills and exercises
Planning is a process, that takes time and resources; however, there are a number of resources available to healthcare organizations and facilities to get started.
Healthcare Facility Resources
- The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)
- Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare
Facilities OR CDC website on Preparation and
Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies - Hospital Preparedness for Mass Casualties
- Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims from Mass
Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous Substances - Long-Term Care and Other Residential Facilities Pandemic
Influenza Planning Checklist - Hospital Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
