--- title: Crash Testing Your Hospital's Emergency Operations Plans description: Complex emergency operations plan exercises are a great way to “crash test” your hospital’s ability to continue to function in the midst of a disaster. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-153681946.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [Crash Testing Your Hospital's Emergency Operations Plans](https://blog.sscor.com/crash-testing-your-hospitals-emergency-operations-plans) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Jun 28, 2016 4:30:00 AM 2 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/crash-testing-your-hospitals-emergency-operations-plans#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/crash-testing-your-hospitals-emergency-operations-plans#) 0 ![Crash Testing Your Hospital's Emergency Operations Plans](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-153681946.jpg?width=700&name=rsz_gettyimages-153681946.jpg "Crash Testing Your Hospital's Emergency Operations Plans")We have previously discussed the importance of evaluating your hospital’s [Emergency Operations Plan](https://blog.sscor.com/bulletproofing-your-hospitals-emergency-operations-plan). Through [a series of exercises](https://blog.sscor.com/auditing-your-hospitals-disaster-preparedness-plan) that gradually increase in complexity, strengths and weaknesses of the plan can be identified. Full-Scale Exercises are the most elaborate and come the closest to replicating a real-life emergency. However, they can be costly and time intensive, as well as difficult to carry out while simultaneously managing normal patient care. For this reason, Functional Exercises are more likely to be used as a tool to test a hospital’s Emergency Operations Plan.   ## What is  a Functional Exercise? As part of a Functional Exercise, a scenario is created that requires the activation of the Hospital Incident Command System. Just as if a real [disaster](https://blog.sscor.com/hospital-disaster-preparedness-in-2016-what-you-need-to-know) had occurred, the key players will convene in the designated command center.  They will be required to make decisions and problem-solve quickly within a highly stressful environment.  Though the movement of personnel and resources is only simulated, it allows the Emergency Operations Plan to be executed in real time.   ## How is a Functional Exercise created? Planning is a key element in developing a successful exercise. Before creating the hypothetical scenario, the planning committee must determine what elements of the Emergency Operations Plan are going to be evaluated. Looking at the plan as a whole is too large of a task, so a few specific and measurable objectives should be selected. Next, a general narrative should be written outlining the scenario. From there, various circumstances and events should be developed that will be sequentially revealed to the participants. These events should be designed to prompt actions from the participants that are in line with the exercise objectives. In addition to those who are taking part in the Functional Exercise, many people will be needed to help run the exercise and monitor the outcomes. Some individuals will direct the course of the exercise, managing the events and timeline. Others will evaluate the actions of the participants, assessing how they perform in relation to the objectives.   ## What is an example of a Functional Exercise? A hospital could test how well the Emergency Operations Plan is carried out in the event of a natural disaster that results in the need to evacuate. From the hospital command center, the entire process would be simulated. Participants would make decisions regarding the movement of patients, while still providing appropriate care such as oxygen administration and [suctioning](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator.html). They would communicate with local and regional authorities, as well as neighboring hospitals to facilitate the transfer.   ## What can be learned from a Functional Exercise? Many important elements can be assessed.  This includes: - Command center management - Communication adequacy - Availability and accessibility of additional workforce personnel and [medical equipment](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator.html) - Understanding of roles and responsibilities during an emergency To be most effective, Emergency Operations Plans must be routinely evaluated. Though the more complex exercises require significant planning and effort, they are a great way to “crash test” your hospital’s ability to continue to function in the midst of a disaster.   [![emergency_preparedness_professionals_guide_sscor](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/8787d9e8-b947-460e-af31-06a4f563eaee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/8787d9e8-b947-460e-af31-06a4f563eaee) Topics: [Emergency Preparedness](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. Search #### Most Popular Articles ### Post by Topic - [Medical Suction (103)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction) - [Airway management (102)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-management) - [Emergency Preparedness (92)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) - [Emergency medical suction (73)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-medical-suction) - [Portable suction for hospitals (34)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction-for-hospitals) - [EMS suction (27)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-suction) - [Handheld portable suction (26)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/handheld-portable-suction) - [Suction for EMS professionals (24)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-for-ems-professionals) - [Respiratory (19)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory) - [medical scenarios (17)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-scenarios) - [portable suction (16)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction) - [Battery-powered suction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/battery-powered-suction) - [EMS Professionals (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-professionals) - [airway obstruction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-obstruction) - [Hospital disaster preparation (14)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/hospital-disaster-preparation) - [respiratory assessment (13)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory-assessment) - [Intubation (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/intubation) - [Pediatric Suction (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/pediatric-suction) - [Medical Suction for Dental (9)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-dental) - [Tactical trauma kit (7)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-trauma-kit) - [Crash Cart Supplies (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/crash-cart-supplies) - [Trauma (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/trauma) - [emt scenarios (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emt-scenarios) - [Diseases & Infections (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/diseases-infections) - [aspiration pneumonia (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration-pneumonia) - [Aspiration (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration) - [Patient Transport (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/patient-transport) - [ambulance safety (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ambulance-safety) - [Anaphylaxis (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/anaphylaxis) - [Suction Catheter (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-catheter) - [nasotracheal intubation (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/nasotracheal-intubation) - [CDC (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/cdc) - [Medical Suction for Drowning (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-drowning) - [Tactical medical bag (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-medical-bag) - [medical devices (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-devices) - [rapid sequence intubation (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/rapid-sequence-intubation) [see all](https://blog.sscor.com/crash-testing-your-hospitals-emergency-operations-plans#) [![subscribe_to_sscor_blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8) [![Aspirator_test_kit_sscor_suction](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383) [![determining_contents_of_first_in_bag_guide_for_paramedics](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad) - [![DUET-B-Front-370px](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUET-B-Front-370px.png "DUET-B-Front-370px")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![Duet Bracket Back with bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUETBB-back-370px.png "Duet Bracket Back with bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![S-SCORT III Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-front-370px.png "S-SCORT III Front")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![S-SCORT-III3-control-panel](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-control-panel-370px.png "S-SCORT-III3-control-panel")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![VX2-B-font](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2-B-font-370px.png "VX2-B-font")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2BB-Back-370px.png "VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![Quickdraw Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Quickdraw-370px.png "Quickdraw Front")](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_portable_suction_unit) - [![DCELL-front-angle](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-front-angle-370px.png "DCELL-front-angle")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) - [![DCELL-back](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-back-370px.png "DCELL-back")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) ### Follow us on social media: ## SSCOR Clearing The Airway Is Our #1 Priority **Company** [SSCOR Website](https://www.sscor.com/index.html) [About Us](https://www.sscor.com/who_are_we.html) [Contact Us](https://www.sscor.com/sales_support.html)   **Resources** [FAQ](https://www.sscor.com/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html) [Technical Support](https://www.sscor.com/technical-product-support.html) **Updates** [Upcoming Events](https://www.sscor.com/upcoming_events.html) *All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. SSCOR, Inc. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.* Images and content of this blog are © 2023 SSCOR, Inc. All rights reserved.