Emergency Management Facts and Myths

1. Emergency Management Facts and Myths by Donna L. Pitre, RN, BSN, CHSP

2. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Objectives • Understand TJC new EM chapter • Describe emergency credentialing • Identify communications means • Describe lessons learned (myths) encountered during Emergency Plan activations.

3. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Emergency-unexpected or sudden event that significantly disrupts the organization’s ability to provide care, or significantly disrupts the environment of care itself… human-made natural (electrical system failure, hurricane, tornado)

4. Emergency Management Facts and Myths EMERGENCIES IMPACT ALL EMPLOYEES • As of 2009, TJC is separating the EM section of the EC chapter and making its own chapter

5. Emergency Management Facts and Myths EMERGENCIES IMPACT ALL EMPLOYEES • EM.02.02.13 During disasters, the organization may grant disaster privileges to volunteer licensed independent practitioners.

6. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Volunteer practitioner requirements: • Government-issued photo identification And at least one of the following: • Current health care organization identification • Current license to practice. • Primary source verification of licensure • DMAT, MRC, ESAR-VHP authority • Confirmation by a LP currently privileged

7. Emergency Management Facts and Myths COMMUNICATION • TJC EM.02.02.01 -…how will the organization communicate during a disaster • Multiple mechanisms (Telephone, cell phones, Blackberries, 700/800 MHz, HAM, satellite phones, satellite internet connections, VHF, etc.)

8. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: Arrival time of different EMT vehicles fluctuates Myth: ICU and NICU patients should be moved first during an evacuation

9. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: In emergency situations, EMT services may not have contact information Myth: If there is an emergency, the hospital will be notified by the EMT service before they arrive.

10. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: Surprise disaster drill put unnecessary stress on staff and my be ground for litigation. Myth: Surprise disaster drills are good to test employee knowledge

11. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: There is difficulty when conducting a drill compared to a real disaster. Myth: If there are problems during a drill, there will be problems during an actual emergency.

12. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: As few as 10 causalities can cause an emergency plan to be implemented. Myth: All disasters are catastrophic and involve hundreds of thousands of victims

13. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: Ensure enough batteries and a sufficient memory card. Myth: A digital camera is a perfect picture taking device during a disaster.

14. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: The network may not accessible. Myth: All of the forms that are needed during a disaster are copied on the network ready for use.

15. Emergency Management Facts and Myths Lesson Learned: Myth: External aid (state, federal) can be relied upon in the immediate post-disaster phase.

16. Emergency Management Facts and Myths (Shillerstrom, Business Insurance 2008)

17. Emergency Management Facts and Myths References: Kaji, Amy. (2005). Acute Care College Medical Student Seminar. Disaster Facts and Myths, . Retrieved  July 7, 2008, from www.medsch.ucla.edu/curriculum/year4/acutecare/Docs/Disaster%20Facts%20and%20Myths%20(NXPowerLite).ppt database. The Joint Commission 2008: Hospital Accreditation Program. 2009 Chapter: Emergency Management.