Hospitals differentiate themselves from other healthcare organizations through their standby role — their commitment to providing 24/7 access to care, serving as a safety net and preparing and responding to disasters, according to an American Hospital Association report.
"Prepared to Care: The 24/7 Standby Role of America's Hospitals," presents the benefits to the community of this standby role and the financial burden to hospitals of providing these services.
The report includes challenges for disaster preparedness, one of the key components of hospitals' standby role.
The report shares nine essential resources hospitals need to be prepared to respond to disasters:
• Comprehensive community disaster plans for a wide range of potential events, each with diverse action requirements
• Training and drills
• Back-up generators
• Communications systems
• Personal protective equipment
• Decontamination units
• Stockpiled medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
• Disease surveillance systems
• Surge capacity to treat an influx of patients
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"Prepared to Care: The 24/7 Standby Role of America's Hospitals," presents the benefits to the community of this standby role and the financial burden to hospitals of providing these services.
The report includes challenges for disaster preparedness, one of the key components of hospitals' standby role.
The report shares nine essential resources hospitals need to be prepared to respond to disasters:
• Comprehensive community disaster plans for a wide range of potential events, each with diverse action requirements
• Training and drills
• Back-up generators
• Communications systems
• Personal protective equipment
• Decontamination units
• Stockpiled medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
• Disease surveillance systems
• Surge capacity to treat an influx of patients
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Weathering the Storm: 8 Necessities for Hospital Emergency Plans