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Disaster ... Hurricane Preparedness ... Emergency Medicine ... Disaster... Hurricane Prep

Hurricane Season: Prepare for the Worst and Hope for the Best

BY BARBARA FALLON ness … Planning, Event such as water filtration units on-site; suffering from the medical and psycholog-
Management and stock supplies in the building for storage; ical trauma of the hurricane including
How does one prepare Aftermath cycles.” and review responsibilities for departmen- infection control, injury, or mold allergic
for probable but unpre- According to Law rence, tal staff,” he asserted. reactions. For hospitals with maternity
dictable weather disasters? the planning starts with At Tenet Health sites, the “A” team con- services, pregnant women with trauma-
Learn from experience, adherence to building sists of clinical and support staff, who induced labor can also be an early admis-
according to Charles codes long before the along with some immediate family mem- sion necessity.
(Chuck) Lawrence, long immediate weather bers, are prepared to hunker down in the Even if the hurricane jumps a predicted
time Hospital Safety Officer threat. All new and hospital until the weather subsides. In trajectory and spares Florida Medical
who counts probably a replacement facilities, advance, numbers and names are record- Center, caravan teams will travel to near-
dozen South Florida hurri- such as windows are ed so that food and housing requirements by points of impact to help treat or trans-
canes under his belt. built, framed and are adequate. port patients and treatment staff. They
He is Plant Operations installed to withstand up During a hurricane, the hospital is fully also provide employees and residents with
Director at Florida Medical to 150 mph winds. Major staffed to remediate potential damage mental health coping skills after a trau-
Center, of Tenet Health Charles Lawrence safety equipment such as from water and wind. Regularly sched- matic weather event.
System, for the past three water filtration units and uled disaster drills ensure that there is Finally, as a hurricane approaches, plant
years but has spent over 20 years in South huge generators are a corporate business ready access to repair materials. Staff ops teams have responsibility for building
Florida hospitals. During that tenure, he’s budget item to have on hand and trans- know whether you are clinical or support, hardening – that is safely storing or secur-
been exposed to various regional and cor- port pre-storm event. everyone is prepared to help distribute ing outdoor furnishings or construction
porate information sharing summits Additionally, hospital safety teams reg- mattresses, food trays or sandbags. sites to prevent wind and water hazards.
along with access to governmental web- ularly collaborate with community, Immediate skilled damage fixes and pre- But, it doesn’t end when the foul weather
sites for weather related disasters which regional and corporate protocols to plan vention helps avoid costly long-term post- turns calm.
provide guidance for hurricane prepara- and practice evacuation routes if neces- storm repairs when local vendors have In fact, in the storm aftermath it is
tion and survival. However, it is an “on sary. They practice team readiness (clin- trouble scheduling in a timely manner. important to return quickly to normalcy
the job training” experience witnessing ical and facilities) for on-going care and “From a facilities standpoint, our main for visitors and patients. So, disposing of
the devastation of water and wind which plant maintenance based on previous goal is to be prepared if power is lost,“ rain water and debris, fixing damage, dis-
provides an insight that isn’t available on weather incidents. Lawrence said. “Since we have a high geri- mantling flood preparation and working
most websites or conferences. For example, previous hurricanes atric population, many patients would be on mold remediation is a top priority to
While the hurricane season - June flooded back-up generators which were compromised if we were not set with complete the survival attack mode in the
through November - is predictable, each stored on lower levels. Now hospitals back-up generators and hand manipulat- days immediately following the storm.
individual storm has its own unique store back-up generators on floors above ed respiratory devices. From food prep to “Plant, security, environmental and
course which can change on a moment’s normal storm surge levels air conditioning and water storage for safety staff’s policing of all outdoor areas
notice, so staged preparation is crucial. “During the preparation stage we check patient needs, we have and we practice and fast remediation of indoor damage
“We have itemized protocols outlining inventories of fuel and water supplies, protocol to maintain care delivery and helps create an environment where our
tasks and to-dos for a storm watch and generators, pumps, plywood, sandbags, protect patients and staff,” he explained. mental health experts can guide folks who
warning that get more detailed at 72, 48 fans, air cooling equipment and emer- Once the ‘all clear‘ has been called and are overwhelmed by the hurricane’s after-
and 24 hour intervals,” Lawrence gency survival apparatus including batter- roads are passable, in comes the ‘B’ team effects back on a path to normalcy,”
explained, “but there are basically three ies, flashlights, tools, food and medical to continue patient care delivery and Lawrence summarized.
distinct phases of hurricane prepared- supplies. We bring regional equipment health surveillance of incoming patients It is a team effort from start to finish.

Cover Story: Be Prepared: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Andrew

Continued from page 1 Even so, our staff came to work, seven hospitals and more than 30 outpa- bers should plan to remain at the hospital
by nightfall, it overflowed with 400 despite losing everything. Over the next tient centers. It organizes rigorous drills for at least four days.
patients seeking shelter, including preg- days, and without much sleep, they and training. This includes sending teams
nant women. We did not evacuate because treated their neighbors and strangers of nurses and physicians to the Caribbean Partnerships
the storm was predicted to hit farther alike. More than four times the usual to provide disaster relief to island commu- Seek out hospitals at least 75 miles away
north. The 52-year-old building was patients arrived with broken bones, nities for real-time training under adverse for assistance during and after natural dis-
stocked with food and water and equipped severe gashes and other injuries. Then conditions. Our emergency plan goes asters. Know where you will evacuate
with emergency generators to ride out the our staff began to leave. For good. They beyond storms to include the outbreak of patients if your building isn’t hurricane
storm’s fringes. had nothing to keep them in our broken virulent diseases and man-made disasters, proof. Coordinate with your community’s
The hurricane arrived point-blank community. Our hospital, which such as bioterrorism. disaster response departments. Retain sup-
with a force I hope never to see again in endured $5 million in damages, began to It’s true that the darkest times can often pliers and distributors to deliver emer-
my lifetime. It shook the building and struggle. Patients were unable to pay and bring us to the brightest places. But it’s gency supplies.
smashed windows, spewing rain and state reimbursements were short in com- always best to be prepared to ride the
glass shards. Staff moved patients on ing. storm. Preparation
makeshift gurneys made of bedsheets Homestead Hospital went from a thriv- Lessons learned: you can never be pre- Train and plan year-round to expect the
into hallways away from flying water and ing, profitable hospital into financial pared enough for the challenges. But here worst. Make provisions to provide shelter
debris. ruin, losing more than $15 million dur- are the basics: to those seeking it, such as pregnant
The next morning when calm weather ing the recovery. Three years later Baptist women and dialysis patients. Stockpile a
returned, we unchained the hospital Health South Florida acquired it in a Organization week’s worth of hospital supplies, food,
doors. I still get emotional when remem- merger. Set up a centralized emergency depart- water and emergency fuel for generators.
bering the storm’s destruction all around After much planning, the new ment to improve efficiency at a time when Fully staff trauma centers and emergency
us. Two-thirds of the hospital staff lost Homestead Hospital opened in 2007. Its it’s needed most. It improves communica- departments. Set up hotlines to activate
their homes that day. Half my home blew structure was designed to resist category 5 tion and ensures everyone receives the before the storm to convey information
away. Nearby Homestead Air Force Base storms for uninterrupted care to patients. same information. about your facility to the public.
was wiped out. The windows are impact resistant. The Communication Understand that should the storm hit,
Our community couldn’t handle such first floor is raised to withstand a storm Gain your staff’s loyalty by letting them your lives and community will never be
a monster storm. Throughout Miami- surge. Two diesel generators and two tanks know how much you value them and their the same.
Dade County, fallen trees and power holding 45,000 gallons of diesel gas can expertise. Their dedication to your organ-
lines blocked roads. Ten people died. keep the hospital running on schedule for ization will make the difference in whether Wayne Brackin is Executive Vice President
Millions of residents were without seven days. your hospital can weather the storm. and Chief Operating Officer, Baptist Health
power. Fresh water ran out. Looting The Department of Emergency Pre - Provide expectations before, during and South Florida. For more information, visit
began. The county had to call in the paredness at Baptist Health was initiated to after the emergency so they can prepare www.baptisthealth.net.
National Guard. help coordinate readiness among our personally and professionally. Staff mem-

22 June 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News