TGH and CEO John Couris efficiently navigated Hurricane Helene utilizing classes discovered from Hurricane Ian.
When it comes to getting ready for hurricanes and different pure disasters, hospitals should be prepared to defend sufferers, workers, and services.
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) efficiently navigated Hurricane Ian in 2022, avoiding injury regardless of being within the storm's path. Unfortunately, historical past repeated itself this yr.
On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Perry, Florida, and triggered flash flooding within the western a part of the state, however fortunately, the hospital's weak Level 1 trauma middle remained dry and unscathed.
“We are pleased to share that our Tampa General Hospital health system stood strong against the storm. In the wake of the hurricane, we remain focused on providing world-class care to our patients and supporting emergency response efforts across our community,” the health system’s website says.
How did they do it? Well, CEO John Couris was ready.
After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Couris shared key methods completely with HealthLeaders that stored TGH resilient, providing a roadmap for different hospitals and well being programs (together with themselves) to implement in future emergencies.
Here’s how to put together your facility for an emergency storm, based mostly on TGH’s experiences with Hurrican Ian:
1. Start Early: Preparation Begins Well Before the Storm
TGH began getting ready for Hurricane Ian a week earlier than it made landfall. This included stockpiling crucial provides like meals, water, and medical sources.
According to Couris, “[We] began bringing in our emergency supplies, med-surge supplies, and emergency water about a week out. We also set up our AquaFence, which can push back about 15 feet of storm surge.”
Actionable Steps:
- Review emergency provide stockpiles effectively forward of time.
- Secure crucial infrastructure, corresponding to flood limitations or AquaFences.
- Test backup programs like emergency mills to guarantee performance.
Pictured: TGH earlier than the flooding from Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of AquaFence.
2. Activate Your Emergency Command Center
Three days earlier than Ian, TGH activated its emergency command middle, a part of a bigger 8,000-square-foot facility that makes use of AI and predictive analytics. (*7*) Couris defined.
Actionable Steps:
- Establish a centralized command middle to coordinate response efforts.
- Ensure your management workforce stays on-site through the storm for quick decision-making.
- Create a two-tier staffing mannequin (Team A for the storm, Team B for post-storm reduction).
3. Practice Disaster Drills Year-Round
A key to TGH’s success was common catastrophe coaching. Couris emphasised, “All critical elements worked because we practice this stuff all year long. We conduct mass casualty drills and review standard procedures constantly.”
Actionable Steps:
- Conduct common catastrophe preparedness drills, together with mass casualty simulations.
- Train workers on emergency protocols and refine procedures by means of tabletop workouts.
- Make emergency readiness a part of routine operations.
4. Plan for Water Shortages
A significant lesson discovered from Ian was the crucial significance of water. At the time, a number of hospitals had to evacuate due to a lack of water strain, although their services withstood the storm.
Couris identified that in Ian, “Water was the primary reason why patients had to be transferred. We are developing plans to ensure TGH has its own emergency water supply.”
Actionable Steps:
- Evaluate your facility’s water utilization and plan for emergency water storage.
- Consider tanker vehicles or different water sources within the occasion of provide interruptions.
- Develop contingency plans to keep fireplace suppression and sanitation programs if municipal water is compromised.
5. Make Sleeping Arrangements for Staff a Priority
TGH had 2,000 workers members caring for almost 900 sufferers throughout Hurricane Ian. Couris famous that whereas their emergency plan labored, sleeping preparations for workers all the time pose a problem. “Hospitals aren’t designed to house thousands of staff for days, so we’re always learning how to do that better.”
Actionable Steps:
- Designate sleeping areas and supply sufficient bedding for on-site workers.
- Anticipate lengthy stays and guarantee services are outfitted with fundamental facilities like showers and meals.
- Continually refine workers lodging plans based mostly on suggestions from earlier occasions.
6. Collaborate with Other Hospitals for Patient Transfers
After the Ian, TGH performed a essential position in helping hospitals to the south, transferring over 50 sufferers from affected areas. Couris defined, “We had five helicopters and ambulances running patients from Fort Myers up to Tampa.”
Actionable Steps:
- Establish relationships with close by hospitals for mutual help agreements.
- Plan for affected person transfers, together with air and floor transportation logistics.
- Ensure your hospital is ready to settle for sufferers from neighboring services in case of evacuations.
7. Constantly Review and Improve Your Disaster Plan
Couris’s closing piece of recommendation is to make catastrophe preparedness an ongoing effort. “My advice to people is practice, practice, practice. Review your processes and systems consistently. The only way to stay ready is to make this part of your routine operations.”
Actionable Steps:
- Regularly assessment and replace emergency plans based mostly on new insights and classes discovered.
- Involve all ranges of workers in catastrophe preparedness to construct a tradition of readiness.
- Keep refining your plans to guarantee your hospital is prepared for the subsequent storm.
By following these methods, hospitals can higher put together for the affect of pure disasters, making certain the protection of sufferers, workers, and services.
