Hospital emergency response checklist

Overview

During times of disaster, hospitals play an integral role within the health-care system by providing essential medical care to their communities. Any incident that causes loss of infrastructure or patient surge, such as a natural disaster, terrorist act, or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive hazard, often requires a multijurisdictional and multifunctional response and recovery effort, which must include the provision of health care. Without appropriate emergency planning, local health systems can easily become overwhelmed in attempting to provide care during a critical event. Limited resources, a surge in demand for medical services, and the disruption of communication and supply lines create a significant barrier to the provision of health care. To enhance the readiness of health facilities to cope with the challenges of a disaster, hospitals need to be prepared to initiate fundamental priority action. This document provides an all-hazards list of key actions to be considered by hospitals in responding to any disaster event.