Supportive and Preventive Medicine
in property damage, deaths or injuries to a community; this occurrence encompasses events ranging from
natural or weather events, infectious outbreaks, chemical or radiation releases, terrorist attacks or threats,
mass violence, transportation accidents, to technological disasters (https://training.fema.gov/programs/
emischool/el361toolkit/glossary.htm)
plan is critical to supporting the influx of critically ill patients who may present for care because of such
Emergency management consists of 4 phases
Preparedness
Response
Mitigation
| d. | Recovery |
|---|
(HVA) should be completed annually to identify disaster risks and prioritize mitigation strategies (CDC
Hospital All-Hazards Self-Assessment, www.cdc.gov/orr/readiness/resources/healthcare/documents/
hah_508_compliant_final.pdf)
Many resources are available to assist in the event of disaster
National Incident Management System (NIMS)—provides guidance to private and public sectors
on resource management, command and coordination, and communications and information
management for disasters
U.S. States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Operates the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), which stores medications and supplies
throughout the country to enable rapid dissemination on federal instruction; stocked
medications include antibiotics, antivirals, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, vaccines
ii.
Appoints the Assistance Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) who creates the
Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange (TRACIE), which contains
recommendations for many disasters situations
| d. | Local and State Public Health Departments—provide disaster response training for healthcare |
|---|
providers
FEMA—coordinates disaster response in events where local and state response may be overwhelmed
An interprofessional approach to disaster response is key; pharmacists are essential in many elements
Response integration
Ensure appropriate use of medications
ii.
Recognition of bioterrorism events and associated treatments
iii.
First aid and advanced cardiovascular life support skills
iv.
Patient triage and counseling
Interdisciplinary education
Patient management
Drug therapy selection and management
ii.
Patient education regarding therapies, discouraging personal stockpiles and self-treatment
iii.
Ensure continuity of care for chronic disease states via collaborative practice agreements
iv.
Point of care testing and treatment