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In Case of Emergency: Preparing Your Practice for a Disaster

As Southeast Georgia residents near the coast, we’re accustomed to dealing with hurricanes and other natural disasters when it comes to our homes and families. However, as healthcare providers, it’s also important to have a plan in place for your medical practice when a storm hits.

The health and safety of patients and team members is the top priority for Southeast

Georgia Health System (SGHS) during a hurricane. “Living in coastal Georgia, it’s imperative to have medical and emergency plans in place in preparation for a hurricane,” according to SGHS. “Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 and being prepared for a weather emergency during this time is the best way to remain safe before, during and after the storm.” During an active hurricane, SGHS updates its Hurricane Timeline on the health system’s website with details on the storm and its potential impact on hospital services.

Below is a list of SGHS resources to help you stay informed before, during and after any potential hurricane or natural disaster. • Visit the SGHS Hurricane Timeline for up-to-date details on a hurricane and its impact on the health system’s services: www.sghs.org/About-Us/HurricaneEmergency-Preparedness.aspx • Text Alerts: Sign up to receive emergency text alerts by texting SGHSA to 1-855-242-5701.

• Media (Radio, Print): Updates are sent to local media outlets as needed.

In Savannah, hospitals are well prepared for any hurricane or disaster that comes their way. “St. Joseph’s Hospital is now one of the strongest buildings in Savannah capable of withstanding significant hurricane-force winds,” according to a St. Joseph’s/Candler press release. St. Joseph’s Hospital can also run emergency power to the entire 330-bed facility for an extended time. The main tower is equipped with panels that can withstand 130 mph winds and has glass rated for a 120 mph impact. St. Joseph’s is also home to a helicopter pad and an expansive

Photo by Jonathan Borba, courtesy of Unsplash

area behind the hospital for any other emergency vehicles. During Hurricane Irma, Candler Hospital relocated patients to St. Joseph’s because of its capabilities to handle the storm.

Memorial Health in Savannah has thorough hurricane preparedness plans that guarantee their patients and staff are not only safe during a storm, but before and after it as well. The hospital has contracts with vendors from around the state of Georgia and other parts of the country to provide support for necessities such as on-site security, generators and food for patients and staff. If patients need to be relocated, Memorial has transfer processes and plans in place with its extensive network of hospitals across the U.S. “As an acute care hospital, our resources are committed to providing for our patients and staff who will remain here to care for them during the duration of the storm,” according to Memorial Health.

How Local Medical Practices Can Develop a Disaster Plan

For medical practices, implementing your own disaster plan will ensure your practice is kept safe in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane. Establish a disaster plan during a calm time before any threat has occurred. Go over the plan with your staff so everyone is well prepared in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with Southeast Georgia’s evacuation routes, emergency phone numbers and shelters. If you are in a situation where you cannot leave your building, find an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building away from any glass. Insurance Coverage Have adequate replacement insurance that covers fire, flooding and catastrophic damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes. Have an updated inventory of all your practice’s equipment in case anything gets damaged. Make sure your insurance policy also includes business interruption coverage in a sufficient amount. Employee Communication Communication with employees and staff is key when it comes to implementing an effective disaster plan. Notify staff as soon as possible about an office closure. To contact every employee, keep a list of everyone’s home phone numbers, cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Patient Communication Let your patients know the best way to get in touch with your office when a disaster occurs. Post an alternate telephone number and e-mail address on your website and social media platforms. Since many answering services are down during a major disaster, consider using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). This phone service uses broadband Internet connectivity and is more likely to stay in service during a natural disaster. place to store office electronics, preferably in a high-up place where any possible flood water can’t reach.

Protect Your Property

Have plywood on hand to protect windows and doors from dangerous debris caused by wind. Consider trimming branches from trees close to your building that could fall and cause damage. Anchor large furniture such as bookshelves or file cabinets to the wall. Have a secure

Keep Important Documents Safe

To avoid losing important information, keep electronic files whenever possible. It is especially important for medical practices to prevent loss of patient health data. Conduct regular data backups before a disaster occurs, not just when a threat like a hurricane is close. Backup all your electronic health records and other medical documents using cloud hosting services which will ensure your data is kept safe in an off-site secure location. Keep the contact information for your cloud hosting services handy if you need to contact them to recover your data. Make a copy of important business contacts such as lawyers, accountants, suppliers, banks, etc. and keep it in a safe secondary location.

County Emergency Management Information:

Appling County http://applingema.com Brantley County www.facebook.com/brantleyema Camden County www.camdencountyga.gov/81/Emergency-Management Charlton County https://charltoncountyga.us/200/Emergency-Management-Agency Chatham County www.chathamemergency.org Glynn County www.glynncounty.org/336/Emergency-Management McIntosh County www.mcintoshema.com

Pierce County https://piercecountyga.gov/emergency-management-agency Ware County www.warecounty.com/EmergencyManagementAgency.aspx Wayne County www.waynecountyga.us/department/index.php?structureid=20