Emergency Preparedness
Staff In-service
A staff member should deliver this in-service to nurses, nursing assistants, and kitchen
staff. Serve a snack of bottled water and a nonperishable food item.
Introduction
Disasters are hard on everyone, but especially on those who live in institutions and are
medically fragile. Every medical facility that houses patients should have a disaster plan
that includes necessary supplies, emergency sources of power, water, medications,
contracts with agencies to provide housing and/or supplies, and phone numbers of
important contacts.
While procedures will vary depending on the type of disaster, staff should receive
training on disaster protocols. Plans for implementing disaster protocols should begin if a
serious disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, is predicted. It is important to have
supplies and procedures in place in the event that a completely unpredictable disaster,
such as a major terrorist attack, occurs.
Objectives
Staff members will know:
 Five basic emergency supplies to have available in the event of an emergency
 Three things that are included in the facility disaster plan
Outline
I. Importance of emergency preparedness
a. It is the responsibility of a health care facility to meet the needs of its patients to
the best of its ability, even in the event of a disaster
b. Some emergencies are predictable and you can prepare for, such as most weather
emergencies, while others you cannot prepare for, such as terrorist attacks,
unexpected power outage, or loss of water supply
c. Regulatory agencies require facilities to have an emergency plan in place
II. Basic emergency supplies
a. 3 day supply of water (1 gallon/person/day for hydration and hygiene)
b. At least a 3 day supply of nonperishable food items (canned fruits and vegetables,
bread, peanut butter or canned sandwich meats, aseptically packaged or canned
beverages, etc)
c. 3-7 day supply of paper products for meal service
d. 3-7 day supply of medical supplies and medications
e. Emergency medical kit
f. Moist towelettes
g. Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
h. Flashlights and extra batteries
i. Generator or other alternate source of power
j. Nonelectric can opener
k. Plastic bags with ties for personal and medical waste
III. A facility emergency plan might include, but is not limited to
a. Reciprocal contract with a local agency to provide emergency temporary care for
patients
b. Reciprocal contract with local agency for relocated frozen and refrigerated foods
and medications
c. Reciprocal contract with local agency for provision of water over the long term, if
needed
d. Periodic contact with local police and firefighters, so they are aware that you are a
health care facility with medically fragile patients who might need attention in the
event of an emergency
e. System for contacting staff, if telephone lines are down
f. List of contacts for:
i. Power company
ii. Local utilities
iii. Food vendors
iv. Medical supply company
v. Pharmacy
vi. Kitchen equipment repair companies
Activity
Open the discussion to the group to generate discussion. Ask participants in the
workshop:
 Do we have a 3 day supply of food and water in the building?
 Where are our flashlights housed?
 Where is our disaster plan housed? Who has access to it?
 How would you get to work if the main street near your house was not passable?
 What is the chain of command (who would you contact) if you are at work when a
disaster occurs?
Emergency Preparedness
Pretest and Posttest
Name: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
Department:_______________________________
1. How much water should you have on hand in case of an emergency?
a. 1 gallon/patient/day
b. 100,000 gallons
c. 5 gallons/patient/day
d. Enough to prepare meals for 3 days
2. True or false: A facility is required to have a written disaster plan.
3. Which of the following should a facility have on hand in case of an
emergency:
a. Paper products for serving meals (3-7 day supply)
b. A nonelectric can opener
c. Medications (3-7 day supply)
d. All of the above
4. Which of the following is not included in a disaster plan?
a. Staff phone numbers
b. Source for an emergency water supply
c. Reciprocal contract with another facility for housing of residents
d. All are included in a disaster plan
5. True or false: The elderly and ill are at a higher risk during disasters than
healthy people.
Answer key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a. 1 gallon of water/patient/day
True
d. All of the above
d. All are included in a disaster plan
True
References and recommended readings
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ready Business. Available at:
http://www.ready.gov/business/index.html. Accessed September 9, 2010.
Ready Business. Emergency supplies. Available at:
www.ready.gov/business/plan/emersupply.html. Accessed September 9, 2010.
US Dept of Health and Human Services, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
Emergency preparedness and response. Available at: www.bt.cdc.gov/planning. Accessed
September 9, 2010.
US Dept of Homeland Security. Are you ready? Available at:
www.fema.gov/areyouready/basic_preparedness.shtm. Accessed September 9, 2010.
Review Date 9/10
G-1383