Transcript Long Term Care Facilities Disaster Preparedness Don Sheldrew MSW, LICSW, NREMT-P Minnesota Department of Health Office of Emergency Preparedness 651-201-5738 [email protected].

Long Term Care Facilities
Disaster Preparedness
Don Sheldrew
MSW, LICSW, NREMT-P
Minnesota Department of Health
Office of Emergency Preparedness
651-201-5738
[email protected]
How do we get prepared?
 Planning
Ahead
 Good Planning
=
Partnerships and developing
relationships ahead of time
LTC – Who are we talking
about?
Skilled Nursing Facility, Nursing
Homes, Board and Care, Residential
Care Facility, Home Care, Hospice,
Others
 Those who care for vulnerable
populations

LTC – Who are we talking
about?
Range of facilities
 Commonality of need
 Diversity of needs
 Range of resources
 Range of talent pool

Some Concerns Shared
Special populations - e.g.
Alzheimer's, cognitively impaired, or
high fall patients.
 Staffing
 Pharmaceuticals and other medical
supplies
 Food and water supplies
 Generators and fuel supplies

Who is responsible during
emergencies?
No single answer -Depends on the
situation and type of emergency
 Natural Disaster, Bioterrorism, Pan
Flu, Complex Disaster
 Preparedness = Planning in
partnership

Continuity of Operations

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Continuity of operations considerations
Concerns
Workforce concerns
A. Pan flu – up to a 40% reduction in
workforce possible
B. Regional or local emergency
C. Workforce preparedness = Personal
preparedness
Workforce Preparedness

Personal preparedness
A. Personal and family plans
B. Available personal tools
http://codeready.org
http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/cpheo/mer
et/home.html
C. Is transportation needed to get
staff in?
Do I Still Need Personnel?
Not enough even after personal
plans
 Who can I ask for help?
Where can I get help?
Other local providers?
Regional providers?
Pre-planned partners?

Workplace Preparedness

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What do I absolutely need to continue
service?
Power – Utilities / Generators / Fuel
Emergent Suppliers or assistance
Food – How long can I provide without
deliveries?
Will I still get deliveries?
What deliveries do I absolutely need?
Do I have connections with more than one
supplier?
Water
Workplace Preparedness

Durable Medical Equipment
What do I need to keep people safe?
Where will I get needed non reusable
supplies?
More than one supplier?
Facilities Concerns /
Environmental Concerns
Heat
 Air Conditioning
 What can I do if one or the other is
needed and not available?
 Blankets, Ice….
 Air Filtration

Evacuation
Where to evacuate to?
 How to evacuate?
 Who will provide the transportation in
a large scale event and timing of
evacuation?
 Local Ambulances and bus
companies

Communications
What is my communications system
for an immediate call back?
 How do I communicate with outside
entities and agencies?
 What communications resources do I
have?
2-way radios, NOAA, telephone,
computers, satellite, ITV, internet…

Pre-existing Arrangements

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Comes from pre-planning
Knowing ahead of time who is already
using what resources
Having some idea of what to expect
Learning and connecting with others who
may be the same or be in a position to
have or locate needed resources
Potential roles during emergencies –
recent focus group
Provide basic medical care and short
term shelter ?
 Accept residents from area
hospitals? Concerns about acuity
and facility staffing
 Medical storage?

Wrap – Up
Plan – with local, regional, state
partners
 Understand your importance in the
event of a crisis

Wrap – Up
The “Plan” is simply a written
document
 The “Planning” forms relationships
and is the crucial element in getting
through an event in a more effective
manner
