JCAHO provides guide for emergency response
13-step process outlined
A step-by-step guide for small, rural, and suburban communities to prepare for and successfully respond to major local and regional emergencies has been issued by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Standing Together: An Emergency Planning Guide for America's Communities provides 13 essential steps that local government and public health leaders can use to establish an effective community-based emergency management planning and response process in the event of a hurricane, flood, terrorist attack, major infectious outbreak, hazardous material spill, or other catastrophic occurrence.
The guide offers a number of specific real-world examples of safeguarding data and systems in the event of a natural disaster, establishing links with federal and state mental health resources, ensuring culturally sensitive communication, and identifying appropriate planning partners.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has released a report detailing the findings of a 2003 National Center for Health Statistics survey of hospitals regarding their preparedness for treating people injured in bioterrorism attacks or mass casualty incidents.
The survey of some 500 hospitals covered topics including emergency response plans, training for terrorism response, experiences with internal and external disaster drills, and availability of special equipment, such as decontamination showers, personal protective suits, and negative pressure isolation rooms.
Nearly all hospitals had emergency terrorism response plans and had revised them since Sept. 11. About nine in 10 hospitals were members of a regional interagency disaster preparedness task force, and three-quarters had key personnel trained to implement a formal incident command system, among other findings.
The CDC also has developed a "Keep It With You" personal medical information form for people who need care during disasters and similar situations.
The form is not intended to replace hard-copy or electronic medical records, the agency says, but as an interim communication tool "to assist individuals as they navigate a potentially complex system of temporary support, housing, and clinical services."
The CDC suggests that clinicians refine the form as necessary, and photocopy the document after an individual receives care to maintain a record of who was seen and what treatment was provided.
The original form is intended to remain with the individual during the time he or she is displaced, and can serve as an interim summary when normal care can be resumed.
More information on the report and the medical information form is available at www.cdc.gov.
A step-by-step guide for small, rural, and suburban communities to prepare for and successfully respond to major local and regional emergencies has been issued by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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