Emergency Preparedness 7:
Rapid and Efficient Mobilization Portal
A key aspect of the emergency response is an organization’s ability to rapidly and efficiently mobilize its resources while implementing the Emergency Operation Plan and the Basic All Hazards Response Plan. Efficient and timely mobilization of resources mitigates chaos and its associated inefficiencies and poor outcomes. The following diagram depicts an efficient process from the initial first response steps through the structured and controlled steps for management.
Hospital Emergency Response Mobilization Check List1
Starting with Incident is Recognized, the initial incident commander must consider a number of key elements as he or she mobilizes the organization’s resources. Using a check sheet as outlined on the following page will eliminate the early paralysis that occurs when individuals are initially confronted with a sudden and unexpected emergency event.
Check the type of event and direct impact to [insert name] Medical Center based on information received from affected operational units and/or agencies from outside the [insert name] Medical Center. Remember multiple systems are frequently affected by a single impact. Reference list of possible events at bottom of this checklist, and check all that apply.
Mobilization Checklist
Multiple
systems are frequently affected by a single event. (Select from
categories and response plans based on incident type.) (Vol III—EMP8
Emergency Event Response Classifications)
Advisory (Communications Center staff are key to effective mobilization.)
Communicate special warnings and other important, but routine messages.
Notify appropriate team(s)/group(s), pagers, email, or overhead paging. _______________________,______________________, ____________________
Alert
An incident is imminent, in progress, or has taken place; All Hazards
Response Plan activation is under consideration.
Inform personnel of appropriate measures to prepare for All Hazards Response Plan activation.
Set up an Incident Management Post at: ___________________________________
Key Initial Details
Number Injured _______ Patient Census _______ Surge Capacity ___________
Need for partial evacuation: Unit evacuated _______ to ___________________
Essential Resources: __________________________________________________
Safety and Security—Safety Officer and Security Control at incident location.
Facility Management—power, electrical, gas, sewer, damage assessment.
Facility supplies/material management
Communications systems, including internal and external communications.
Estimate likely duration: ______________________________________________
Staff hold-over and call back: __________________________________________
Determine potential secondary adverse events and impacts: _____________________________________________________________________
Alternate Care Sites: ___________________________________________________
Activation: Intermediate Activation
Level 1: Resources/supplies present are adequate to handle the emergency.
Level 2: Limited additional resources and supplies from hospital or outside agencies need to be mobilized to adequately manage the emergency.
Full Activation
Level 3: All available resources within hospital and from outside are needed to manage the Emergency Incident-Disaster.
Key Positions for Assuming Initial Incident Command
Person elected to serve as Incident Commander: _______________________
| House Nursing Supervisor Contacted | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Security Supervisor Contacted | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Safety Officer Contacted | ______ Yes ______ No |
| On-Duty ED Staff Physician Contacted | ______ Yes ______ No |
Query initial Incident Commander as to whom to notify for Levels 1 and 2 Emergency Responses or Alerts:
| On-Call Medical Center Administrator | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Chief Nursing | ______ Yes ______ No |
| On-Call Medical Chief of Staff | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Public Affairs Officer | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Chief Engineering/Facility Management | ______ Yes ______ No |
| Chief Procurement/Materials Management | ______ Yes ______ No |
Other individuals, teams, or groups
1 ____________________ 2 ___________________ 3 __________________
Key
contacts listed will be notified automatically on all Internal/External
Alert Oranges (alert for Emergency Incident-Disaster) and all Level 3
Emergency Responses to Alerts.
Demobilization
The facility will begin transitioning back to lower levels of activation of the Emergency Operation Plan and the Basic All Hazards Response Plan. The Incident Commander position should remain open until demobilization is completed and continue operating into the recovery phase. The planning section should plan for demobilization in advance, if possible by designating a person within the planning section to begin planning for recovery phase needs (staff support, re-supply, discharge planning, patient transfers) and demobilizing surplus staff and activated resources to return the facility to daily operations as rapidly and smoothly as possible. As part of this, initiate comprehensive expense tracking as quickly as possible to improve the potential for reimbursement.
Recovery
The goal is to restore essential services and resume normal operations as quickly and safely as possible. Returning to normal operations as quickly as possible is essential for financial survival. Remember, the resources and time necessary to recover adequately from an incident are often underestimated.
Determine who will direct recovery operations as well as procedures for initiating recovery operations (such as how, when, and by whom the recovery phase is to be activated).
Reference
-
Emergency Management Program Guidebook. Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group (EMSHG) Emergency Management Academy, Washington DC, VHA Center for Engineering & Occupational Safety and Health, St. Louis, MO.