In 2018, Hurricane Michael required the evacuation of eight hospitals. Thanks to a thoughtful evacuation plan and quick action, no evacuees died. An emergency patient transport plan is critical to patient survival and can help preserve your organization’s reputation during a major crisis.

Hospitals are required to have emergency plans, so make sure yours is truly effective by following these steps.

Public health experts have been warning about a worldwide pandemic for decades. Unwilling or unable to believe what could happen, most people put their heads in the sand. We’ve now seen that a local virus can tear through lives across the globe, upending everything we do. 

The next pandemic is inevitable. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad as COVID, and we will be better prepared. There’s a distinct possibility, however, that it will be worse. Here’s what your agency can do now to get ready for whatever lies ahead. 

One of the biggest topics of conversation dominating news coverage and the internet in recent weeks and months has been the impact of Canadian wildfires on air quality and the environment in the northeastern U.S. and beyond.

As the weather gets warmer and we move further into summer, more people are making time for travel and much-needed vacations that allow them to soak up the sun and explore new places and activities. While traveling is always something to look forward to, it can present major airway risks, particularly for vulnerable demographics and people with respiratory conditions.

You only stepped out of the meeting for a minute just to grab another cup of coffee, but while you were out, your fellow firefighters voted that you be the one tasked with designing and stocking the new first-in bags that will be carried on all the rescues of your department. How to begin?

When faced with the challenge of transporting someone in respiratory distress, emergency responders should be able to identify the symptoms and remain prepared to spring into action with the right procedures and equipment.

Preparedness is essential to trauma treatment, especially when you encounter catastrophic injuries in the field. Having the right supplies in your trauma kit allows you to care for patients and avoid needless treatment delays. 

Depending on the emergency and treatment circumstance, it can often be helpful to have patients’ family members present to answer questions about a patient’s background or medical history, but it can also be overwhelming and add even more stress for the providers and patients involved.

As a paramedic, you are frequently called upon to treat respiratory emergencies. These emergencies come in many forms, from asthmatics to Those with emphysema to pediatrics suffering from obstructions. No matter the type of call, emergencies involving the respiratory system are some of the most critical you will handle. And recognizing the true respiratory emergency is the first step in treating it. It all starts with your assessment.

This post is an excerpt taken from our complementary ebook, The Emergency Preparedness Professional’s Guide to Planning for Hospital Supply Line Disruptions.

Recent natural disasters, such as Winter Storm Elliott, have demonstrated that hospitals can suffer crippling blows during times of crisis. But at the same time, hospitals are expected to provide continuous and safe patient care amidst these challenges.