Environmental Safety Quality Measures
Disasters take on many forms ranging from natural to man-made.
Hospitals must be prepared for any type of disaster by having the following:
- plans
and supplies to care for existing patients as well as disaster victims
- quarantine
capability (keeping exposed persons separated from non-exposed), e.g., patients
with evidence of a contagious lung infection would be separated from those
without symptoms of the infection
- mock disaster drills for plan testing and
revision
The American
Hospital Association provides up-to-date disaster readiness
resources for hospitals and individuals. Various local, state, and national
agencies work together to support communities in times of disaster; however,
planning and coordination are necessary to protect the integrity of hospitals
during times of disaster.
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center has specific disaster plans, including mock drills, for all
units.