Disaster Management Case Study
Hurricane Victoria that landed on January 10, 2016 in New York City caused significant damage on the area. The storm which was ultimately downgraded to a tropical storm since it lost its strength affected homeless shelters and health care facilities. Many health care facilities in the area sustained devastating damage while those that were functioning became overcrowded with special needs patients and family members. Since backup generators are increasingly running out of fuel for operations, many health care officials are looking for alternative locations for patients requiring care. Given that most health care facilities in New York State are not adequately prepared to manage this kind of disaster, it is important to develop a suitable disaster management plan to help meet the patient needs. As a newly hired administrator in a local hospital, the disaster management plan will incorporate several elements including management, organization, and coordination.
Management
As evident in this scenario, a suitable disaster management plan is crucial towards responding to the increasing needs in this area that has been hit by a tropical storm. One of the important aspects in creating a disaster management plan for the Board of Trustees at this hospital is management. Generally, hospital and nurse administrators experience challenges relating...
This is primarily because these administrators are responsible for making decisions on whether to evacuate or ensure the facilities have adequate resources to cater for increasing needs after an emergency occurs (Bascetta, 2006).
For this health care facility with 1000 bed capacity that provides various services, the management aspect of disaster will focus on ensuring that the facility has adequate resources to cater for patients' needs after a disaster. Some of the major facilities that will be utilized in the aftermath of a natural disaster or emergency include Trauma Level 1 Emergency Room, operating and recovery rooms, medical and surgical units, and infant, children and adult critical care. One of the aspects of management of a disaster for this health care facility is to ensure there is adequate number of staff attending to patients. In case of an emergency, the hospital will ensure staffs stay for longer shifts until relief staff arrives. Hospital staff will require staff to stay for nearly 3 days for longer shifts as relief or replacement staffs recruited during this period. Secondly, the hospital administration will ensure the facility has 3 days of food and supplies as well as adequate fuel for generators for 1 week. Third, the facility will identify receiving facilities such as nursing homes that…
