The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is the response and recovery component of the Emergency Management Program (EMP). It provides the structure and processes that the organization uses to respond to and initially recover from an event. In this article, we will explore the six key elements of an effective hospital emergency operations plan. First, hospitals must understand their lines of communication in the event of an emergency.
The EOP should document how they will communicate both internally and externally during a crisis. Second, hospital emergency response teams (HERTs) should be activated and responsive during emergencies. HERTs are comprised of multiple disciplines and specialties that are ready to respond in case of a disaster or emergency. Third, the Joint Commission's emergency management standards are very specific to the hospital's EOP requirements.
These standards should be taken into account when creating or strengthening the foundation of existing programs and plans. Fourth, the emergency management program (EMP) must detail how the center implements the emergency management principles of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. This includes staff, authorities, and other details of program administration. Fifth, resources should be highlighted in order to create or strengthen existing programs and plans.
This includes standards, guidelines, regulations, accreditation programs and select tools that can help health emergency preparedness professionals. Finally, hospitals must have a plan for recovery after an emergency event. This includes restoring services to pre-event levels as quickly as possible. In conclusion, an effective hospital emergency operations plan should include lines of communication, HERTs, Joint Commission's standards, EMPs, resources for health emergency preparedness professionals, and a plan for recovery. By understanding these six key elements, hospitals can ensure they are prepared for any emergency situation.
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