Disaster Management

WVUH-East City Hospital

Emergency Department
 Disaster- an event that severely
disrupts the environment
Natural: Man-made:
• Severe winds • Bioterrorist attack
• Snow storm • Plane crash
• Tornadoes • Building collapse
• Fire • Bus wreck
• Flood • Loss of utilities
 A U.N. Definition of Disaster
“A serious disruption of the
functioning of society, causing
widespread human, material, or
environmental losses which exceed
the ability of affected society to
cope using only its own resources.”
(U.N., 1992)
 Access to Resources Matters
“. . . A train derailment that injures 15
people may be overwhelming for a
smaller city or county but easily handled
by a larger city or county with greater
access to resources.”
(Carroll 2001, citing Crichlow, 1997)
 Supplies needed in case of
Disaster
• 3-day supply of H20 • Candles and matches
• 1 change of clothes, • Extra car keys, credit
shoes, and blanket per card, cash, picture ID,
person proof of address
• First aid kit/ Rx meds • TP, soap, feminine
• Battery powered radio, hygiene products,
flashlight, batteries garbage bags
• Special pop. items • Extra eyeglasses
 Community Support

• Local EMS
• American Red Cross/ Salvation Army
• National Guard
• FEMA
• Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
• State and national government programs
(Office of Homeland Security)
 Disaster

• Primary objective is to minimize morbidity

and mortality
 Disaster Type

• Disaster type: the

agent that produced
the event i.e. haz mat,
tornado
• Levels not determined
by casualties, but by
resources needed
 Disaster Levels

• Level is the • Level I: < 10,000$

anticipated Red Cross • Level II: 10K to 50K
disaster response and • Level III: 50K to
relief cost requirement 250K
by the event:
• Level IV: 250K to 2.5
million
• Level V: >2.5 million
 Disaster Scope

• Single Family: one • Major: multiple Red

family, short term Cross, natn’l news
resources media, mobilization of
• Local: more than 1 fed gov., nuclear or
family, one Red Cross chemical weapons
chapter, limited
resources • Presidentially
• State: multiple Declared: National
families, other Red Response Plan
Cross unit support
 Comprehensive Public Health
Response to Outbreak

• Detecting the outbreak

• Determining the cause
• ID factors that place people at risk
• Implement measures to control outbreak
• Informing the medical and public
communities about tx, health consequences,
and preventative measures
Heartland Fire 2/09
School bus collides with minivan
Orchard View 1/09
 Preparedness Phase
• Initiate plan
• Integrate hospital’s role in community wide
response
• Establish alternative care sites
• Backup internal and external
communication systems
• Facilities for radioactive, biological or
chemical decontamination
 Initial response to disaster

Safety Policy locations:

• Intranet
• Red box
• Safety and security P&P manual
 Chain of Command

• CEO
• Chief Nursing Supervisor
• Nursing Supervisor
• Safety officer
 Incident Commander

• Highest ranking person available

• Notified by ECCT at x 1430
• Advised of all incident details
• Command Center set up 8th floor Admin or
mobile if after hours
 CODE TRIAGE

• Internal or External • If off duty:

If on duty: • You will be notified by
• Report directly to the call – down tree
ED • Report to the ED
• Possible reassignment
• Do not use telephone
unless for disaster
 Code Triage External

• Black – Deceased
• Red – Immediate
• Yellow – Delayed
• Green - Minor
 Scenario

• I –81 bridge collapse

• What information do
you need?
• Who do you notify?
• What resources would
you expect?
• What is your role?