How does a hospital prepare for a hurricane?

How does a hospital prepare for a hurricane?

Hospital staff prepare the hospital to weather a storm. Supplies and equipment must be moved to higher floors in case of flooding. Security must be on hand because of the threat of vandals and looters. At the same time, patients must be continually cared for.

What do you do during hurricane preparedness?

10 Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane

1. Make a plan. If evacuation is necessary, turn off all utilities and follow community disaster preparedness plans.
2. Secure the exterior.
3. Install storm shutters.
4. Check wall hangings and art.
5. Move your cars.
6. Power up.
7. Unplug appliances.
8. Store important documents.

How would a hurricane be handled in a healthcare facility?

Many facilities have patients that cannot be moved. For serious hurricanes and storms, patients may be air-lifted by helicopter to other facilities. Facilities will sometimes assign categories to each of their patients based on evacuation priority – Level 1 for immediate necessity, Level 2 and Level 3.

What should you not do during a hurricane?

11 Things You Should Never Do During a Hurricane

• Be Smart; and Be Safe!
• Don’t walk outside to “feel” the wind.
• Don’t use a laptop, microwave, or other electronics.
• Don’t watch the storm through a window.
• Don’t shower during the storm.
• Don’t shelter near an exterior wall.

What is a good hurricane plan?

Put Together an Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Ready.Gov emergency plan webpage.

What happens to hospitals during a hurricane?

Hospitals have only two main options when facing a hurricane; they can either ride out the storm and shelter in place, or evacuate the hospital to an alternate care facilities located in a safer area.

What to do if an employee is forced to work during a hurricane?

• An employee that reasonably believes he/she has been put in imminent danger because of being forced to go to work during a hurricane may file a complaint with OSHA against the employer and then ask for whistleblower protection.

Do you have to pay employees during a natural disaster?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay nonexempt employees only for hours that the employees have actually worked. Therefore, an employer is not required to pay nonexempt employees if the employer is unable to provide work to those employees due to a natural disaster.

What does USERRA mean for emergency services employees?

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). For those employees who are also part of an emergency services organization (such as the National Guard or a Reserve unit), the USERRA may apply.