Tips for healthcare employees working through storms

The University of South Alabama Center for Disaster Healthcare Preparedness (CDHP) provides comprehensive disaster healthcare preparedness training for hospitals, nursing homes, rural health centers, other healthcare agencies, and healthcare coalitions throughout the State of Alabama.

David Wallace, D.V.M., director of the CDHP, offers the following tips for healthcare employees who are essential during hurricanes and other natural disasters.  

1.  Adopt a healthcare mindset. Working in healthcare means certain employees are essential for ongoing patient care and day-to-day operations of the organization. Accept that this is your role and take that responsibility seriously.
2. Have a personal plan. Family comes first, so make sure your home and loved ones are safe and have appropriate supervision – this not only includes children but also adult family members who count on you for support. Take care of anything that could be a distraction, so when you get the call, you’re focused and ready to report to work.
3.  Activate your plan early. You may be asked to report to work in advance of your normal work schedule, or work a different or longer shift.
4.  Undergo emergency preparedness training. Well-trained individuals better understand how they fit in the big picture during disasters. The CDHP offers two-day training sessions at no charge to USA Health employees at designated times throughout the year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers training and education opportunities for healthcare workers.

To learn more about the USA Center for Disaster Healthcare Preparedness, click here.