Health Care Facility Emergency Preparedness Strategies

Creating an emergency plan is of critical importance for every type of business, public or commercial property, and especially for hospitals and healthcare facilities where patients may be unable to evacuate. Being prepared for an emergency in a healthcare facility can mean the difference between life and death.

There are basically two different strategies when it comes to emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities, Evacuation or Defend in Place.

Evacuation Vs. Defend In Place

Determining which strategy to incorporate into an emergency preparedness plan for hospitals or healthcare facilities requires consideration of several factors including:

●       Type of emergency

●       Evacuation capabilities of occupants

●       Building Construction

●       Fire protection and life safety systems

 Evacuation: Total or Staged

Evacuation from an emergency can be a complete and total evacuation, or evacuation on a staged level. Total evacuation is self-explanatory and occurs when an alarm or notification of emergency activates evacuation procedures, where all occupants are directed to simultaneously exit the building.

Staged evacuation is different in that only certain areas are completely evacuated, based on the location of the emergency or incident. Occupants who are located in the path of any immediate threat are identified and evacuated, while the remaining occupants are notified of an emergency and directed to wait for further instructions. Staged evacuation is often used in high-rise buildings and provides for a more orderly evacuation with less panic and congestion in stairwells.

Continual monitoring of the emergency or incident is required for effective staged evacuation and to ensure the safety of all occupants. Emergency responders and fire department personnel will typically determine the level of required evacuation. Both staged and total evacuation depend on the physical ability of occupants to evacuate without assistance.

In cases where occupants are physically unable to evacuate, such as in a hospital for example, a Defend In Place strategy may be required.

Defend In Place

Patients in a hospital that are confined to their beds or hooked up to life saving equipment are physically unable to evacuate without risking their own health or safety. Healthcare facilities and hospitals must include a Defend In Place strategy in their emergency preparedness plan, which allows healthcare staff to keep patients in the facility while continuing to receive medical treatment. 

According to a report issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regarding Structure Fires In Healthcare Facilities, fire departments in the U.S. responded to an average of 5,750 fires each year from 2011 to 2015. These fires caused an average of 157 civilian injuries and two civilian deaths annually, with more than $50 million of direct property damage. Nearly half of all of these fires occurred in nursing homes.

This makes a Defend In Place strategy of critical importance for nursing homes, hospitals, and all healthcare facilities. Defend In Place strategies may include transferring patients to another location of the facility or hospital, where they can continue to receive medical treatment from trained staff.

Protect Your Facility with the Right Emergency Preparedness Plans

Emergency preparedness plans are of critical importance for all types of healthcare facilities and must include the right fire and life safety equipment and evacuation plan for different types of emergency scenarios. A hospital and staff should be directed to respond appropriately, with procedures relating to a fire, for example, being much different than responding to an internal threat like an intruder.

A plan should be put in place so that all staff is aware of the proper evacuation procedures in response to particular emergencies. Emergency preparedness plans should be practiced by hospital staff whether responding to a fire, an internal threat, or a weather emergency. 

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a leading fire and life safety provider to all types of commercial properties including healthcare facilities and hospitals. We offer fire and life safety system consulting, UL listed equipment, alarm system design and comprehensive services. Contact us to learn more about protecting your healthcare facility and occupants with the right emergency preparedness plan.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-safety-consultants/health-care-facility-emergency-preparedness-strategies/