Drastic Times Call for [Prepared] Drastic Measures

The Pulse | Monday, July 4, 2016

SGNA Editor

A crisis happens at a moment’s notice. No matter how mentally prepared you think you are, you’ll never truly know until you are face-to-face with a crisis. The only way to be adequately prepared is if you study and practice ahead of time.

While common for some hospitals, dealing with an influx of patients in a very short timeframe isn’t the norm for hospitals across the country. Preparation is key so in the unfortunate circumstance that these means do arise, you’ll be ready to take it on.

Hospitals across Northeast Ohio are beginning their preparation techniques for the Republican National Convention The convention will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Quicken Loans Arena from July 18–21, 2016 so Cleveland-area hospitals are scheduling out a weeklong crisis prep training course. Here are some of their tactics:

Assign different tasks and responsibilities to each branch of your hospital.
Have additional paramedics and nurses on hand.
Keep ambulance services prepped and ready to go.
All entrances of the building should be ready for the worst situation and hope for the best.
Use any and all volunteers that are willing to help.
Keep phone lines open to field any media or crisis-related calls.
Stock extra supplies or have easy access to them.
Maintain communication with other area hospitals; use one another as resources and be willing to provide assistance as needed.
Take time to run mock events to test out any additional tactics to ensure success.

Similarly, Philadelphia-area hospitals may also be looking at how to make sure they are prepared in case of a crisis as the Democratic National Convention will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia from July 25–28, 2016.

What does your hospital do to prepare for a crisis? What do you think about dedicating an entire week to prepare for a potential event? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!