Emergencies often occur when we least expect them. However, preparation for disasters can reduce the impact and essentially avoid danger. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Medisys Health Network Emergency Management departments encourages everyone to prepare their homes and work places for potential disasters.
As members of a healthcare network, we are expected to be ready to respond to emergency situations, as we are responsible for the safety and wellness of the patients and communities we serve. Our level of personal preparedness directly affects overall safety and rescue efforts.
In order to sustain normal medical operation and continued patient care in extreme conditions, it is advantageous to know the emergency guidelines of your facility.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for an emergency:
At Home:
- Document and gather lifesaving supplies and health related information.
- Agree upon a meeting place in case you are unable to reach loved ones.
- Purchase battery operated flashlights and radios.
- Collect one gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least three days.
- Store ready-to-eat canned foods and a manual can opener.
At your place of work:
- Check in with your supervisors to see if you can provide staffing coverage, visit www. medisys prepares.org or email medisysem1@jhmc.org to find out how you can help with disaster recovery efforts.
- Follow websites that provide information and resources such as: www.medisysprepares.org, www.ready.gov, www.nyredcross.org and www.bti.cdc.gov.
- Locate Emergency Response Guides or “ Yellow Books”, which are quick reference guides providing information about facility disaster plans, color codes and key phone numbers. These books are located in areas such as nursing stations.
In times of disaster, Medisys Health Care Network plays a vital role in providing the emergency medical services which fortify public health and safety. We rely on our employees to help in fulfilling our commitment to consistently deliver high quality medical services under extreme conditions. For more information on Medisys Health Network’s Emergency Management, visit www.medisysprepares.org.