Emergency Preparedness and Response

Emergency Preparedness & Response

A well-equipped Urgent Care should be ready for all types of emergencies that may affect the ability to offer patient care, including environmental (current weather and risk for new climate changes), workplace violence, isolated fire and medical events (global and individual). Preparedness requires all staff to be responsible for the knowledge to protect themselves and patients during events that may last only a few seconds but can be life altering. This page should help to organize resources available for both training and response. Creating a robust emergency program and familiarizing staff now can help prevent tragedy in the future.

Workplace Violence
Environmental
Isolated Fire
Medical Events
Free Training Courses

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends a five prong approach to providing a safe workplace:

Management Commitment and Worker Participation
Worksite Analysis and Hazard Identification
Hazard Prevention and Control
Safety and Health Training
Recordkeeping and Program Evaluation

To properly address the situation and best prepare, it is essential to combat underreporting: Around 39% of healthcare workers each year experience some sort of violence event, but only 19% report it (American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2015). The University of Michigan survey shows estimates, current known rates of violence in healthcare may be as high three times as much.

More information from OSHA on prevention and training.

Current Weather Events

Current weather: https://www.weather.gov/translate/hazards.html?

Road closures: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/

Staff Safety Considerations

Optimal staffing and recognition for closure needs if not able to safely provide employee shelter:

Under Construction

Climate Events

Know your risk assessment by geographic location – climate mapping tool for resilience and adaptation.

See the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit’s Steps to Resilience framework for more information.

Monthly Checklist

smoke alarm
suppression systems (for example: sprinklers, fire doors)
exit lights and location clearance
escape route maps
fire protection and suppression equipment (for example fire extinguisher, fire blanket)
fire drills

Courses and Resources

Advanced Burn Life Support® (ABLS) Course – The American Burn Association

Verified Centers, Nonverified Centers or Other Facilities: A National Analysis of Burn Patient Treatment Location

What COCA Does

Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) provides timely, accurate, and credible information to clinicians related to emergency preparedness and response and emerging public health threats. COCA fosters partnerships with national clinician organizations to strengthen information-sharing networks before, during, and after a public health emergency.

COCA invites all clinicians to Sign-Up for COCA Email Updates and Reminders.