Emergency Planning

Preparation is the Key

Disasters such as extreme weather, terrorist attacks and disease outbreaks can precipitate a public health emergency.  By taking proactive steps to be prepared in advance of an all hazards event, homecare agencies can stave off the confusion and chaos that often ensues in the face of an emergency.  Advance planning allows for smoother coordination of internal operations, assessment of staffing levels and patient needs as well as the opportunity to provide assistance to the local area and/or region as needed.

Here are three things homecare agencies should do at a minimum, to be prepared:

1. Obtain health alerts from the Department of Health’s, Health Alert Network.  The PA Health Alert Network (PA-HAN) serves as a communication network that disseminates up-to-date emergent public health information among state and local public health agencies, healthcare providers, hospitals and emergency management.  To register as a new user, email your first/last name, facility, title and email address to Heather Vaught at hvaught@state.pa.us or call 717-346-3860.
2. Register to receive real-time updates from the CDC on terrorism and emergency response issues targeted to clinicians.
3. Obtain a Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) “calling card” along with a subscription to the Wireless Priority Service (WPS) to ensure land line and cell phone use during an emergency.

Developing an individual, family and business emergency plan before an emergency and/or disaster strikes will enable persons to respond and take the next steps in a calm and coordinated fashion:

Individual/Family Plan:

• Create an individual/family preparedness plan and prepare a 72-hour emergency supply kit before an emergency and/or disaster strikes.  Test your plan to ensure your that your basic needs will be met in the face of an untimely event.

Business Plan:

• Develop a plan that takes into account delayed payment, reduced staffing levels, supply levels and ordering, communications, strategies for triaging and caring for patients and coordination with other local providers as well as emergency management authorities.

Exercises and Drills:

• By participating in simulated table top exercises and drills, gaps can be identified in your individual/family plan as well as your business plan.  Engaging in these activities provides opportunities to fine tune and strengthen existing plans.  

Building relationships with local emergency authorities before an emergency strikes is crucial.  These relationships will ensure enhanced communication that will lead to continuity of care for patients.

• All 67 counties within Pennsylvania have an emergency management coordinator (EMC).  Do you know who the EMC is for the counties your homecare agency serves?  Do the county EMCs know who your agency is and what service area you cover?

• The nine Regional Counter Terrorism Task Forces (RCTTFs) have a medical committee that is responsible for conducting emergency preparedness planning and mock exercises that involve all provider types.  Are you aware of the RCTTF that corresponds with your service area?

Resources

The Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide provides tips on how to respond to an emergency and will help all Pennsylvanian’s to prepare in case of a disaster.  Click here to learn how to obtain copies of this resource.

The Home Health Care Services Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist can be used by home health agencies to identify key areas for pandemic influenza planning as well as the strengths and weaknesses of current planning efforts.

Learning Management System (LMS)

This free web-based system enables users to access online training programs and share information regarding bioterrorism and other public health and emergency response issues.  The LMS allows registered users to complete online training and is available 24/7.  To become a registered user, click here – be sure to select PA Homecare Association as your registration type (question 14). To access the LMS as a registered user, click here. 

CMS has published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that pertain to provider protocols in the event of an emergency and/or disaster.

Products

Senior Emergency Readiness Wheels (Order Forms) – assist       consumers/patients by providing information on how to prepare for different types of emergencies and/or disasters.

72-hour Emergency Kits  (Order Forms) - 3 days of basic disaster support for 1 person.  In a protective carrying case, this kit provides essential personal emergency supplies recommended by the U.S. Government for home and the workplace: safe water and food (each with 5-year shelf life), breathing protection, warmth/shelter, first aid, 

                                      communication, light and sanitation.

Sites of Interest

Pennsylvania Department of Health

PandemicFlu.gov

Ready.gov

Department of Homeland Security - National Nurse Emergency Preparedness Initiative

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

National Incident Management System

Pandemic Flu & You