Are We Prepared - Essay Example

Hospitals and other health facilities are expected to maintain high standards of disaster and emergency preparedness. Disaster preparedness is both a requirement of the state and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (Adini et al, 2006). Disasters can either be natural or manmade and may come in different sizes and shapes. Some of the disasters that can affect hospitals and health facilities include chemical spills, earthquakes, fires, and floods among others.

Despite most hospitals and health facilities having disaster management programs that meet the requirements of state license bodies and the JCAHO, the main issues of concern are whether the plans fully address the requirements of the community and those of the health facility (Aguirre, &Quarantelli, 2008). In Merrillville, Indiana, where I work, there is the white code plan for disaster management. As a midnight nurse, I encounter a lot of challenges at work, especially during winter when the weather gets at its worst with winter floods. Sometimes I am mandated to work during the day while waiting for relief.

Despite the plan functioning on some occasions and meeting the licensing requirements, there are still loopholes and areas that need to be addressed in order to enable the plan to meet the needs of the stakeholders in the facility. First, a disaster planning committee has to be established to supervise the execution of the plan. The committee should have representatives from the various departments of the facility as well as specialists in disaster management (Uscher-Pines, 2009). There is also a need to acquire the latest tools and equipment to accompany the disaster plan. Finally, the plan needs to be amended to include a disaster recovery plan.