Hospitalists must have deliberate plan to successfully recover from emergency disasters

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — In order to successfully recover after disaster, whether it be natural or manmade, hospitalists should create a specific process involving considerable preparation, according to a speaker at Hospital Medicine 2019.

 “My philosophy in terms of being a leader, especially as a hospitalist, is that you have to make yourself and your team indispensable,” Mark Shapiro, MD, hospitalist at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and associate medical director of hospital services at St. Joseph Health Medical Group in California, said during a presentation. “In a disaster, every physician in the building is going to be a leader. It is important that we embrace that and start to get comfortable with it so that when a disaster happens, we can convey a sense of calmness and of knowing the process and where to go to collect more information.”

Shapiro emphasized the importance of conducting drills so that everyone understands what each other’s responsibilities are and also knows the mechanisms of the specific facility, such as the location of emergency supplies or what to do if the electricity goes out.

In addition, Shapiro stressed developing various modes of communication, including text messages, utilization of social media and landlines, to share disaster-related information. Communication — especially on social media — should be monitored so that information is accurate, and rumors can be mitigated, he added.

Coordination to ensure everyone involved has clear roles is critical, but cross-training staff to be available for additional roles creates needed flexibility.

 During and after an emergency, hospitalists should engage in personal care, such as remembering to rest, eat and drink and reach out to family whenever possible, Shapiro said.

Once these steps are followed and it is time to begin the recovery process, the mental health of disaster-victims still needs to be considered, according to Shapiro. Many disasters remain traumatic for those impacted for a long time and hospitalists should remember that patients are affected in different ways.

“The pain and the ripple effect of disasters go on,” Shapiro said. “Build the endurance and the mental fortitude not just to get through the disaster but to be leader and a guide.” – by Melissa J. Webb

Reference:

Shapiro M. A survival guide for hospitalists: emergency preparedness for hurricanes, fires, mass casualties and other emergencies. Presented at: Hospital Medicine 2019. March 25-27; National Harbor, Md.

Disclosures: Shapiro reports no relevant financial disclosures.