Q: What parts of the emergency preparedness plan should the director of nursing services examine?
A:The three aspects of the emergency preparedness plan most important for the nursing department are: staffing, supplies/resources and communications. Let’s consider each in depth.
During an emergency, staff may be personally impacted and therefore unable to report to work. A recent Office of Inspector General study found that 77% of facilities reporting challenges with preparedness activities rated having adequate staff available in an emergency as most problematic. The DNS will need a plan to ensure adequate staff are available to meet residents’ care needs. Have a list of staff who live near the facility who can come help in an emergency. Also, include in the plan a place to offer rest periods for staff unable to leave the facility.
During an emergency, the facility can lose access to resources and supplies. Loss of power, water or heat may involve backup resources,such as generators, or require patient transfers. The DNS should ensure the facility will have adequate resources, even in a disaster.
Stocking up on supplies is another important aspect. The facility will need backup inventory for water, food and medical supplies, and weather-related events like snow storms or hurricanes can delay deliveries for days or weeks.
Facilities also need to inform family members and staff how the facility is handling an emergency. In advance, develop a communication plan and assign someone to oversee it. Test the plan before a real emergency occurs.
Facilities in areas at high risk for natural disasters may need to review plans more than once a year. Community outbreaks also can constitute emergencies, so monitor risk. As that risk increases, review plans before they must be implemented.
From the December 2023 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
