Exercises

Practice is crucial to prepare for emergencies Health organizations may have preparedness and contingency plans yet only when these plans are put to a test through drills can managers determine gaps and areas that needed strengthening Emergency exercises are one of the best ways to test emergency plans Hospital drills are essential components to ensure that health professionals are prepared to face emergencies and disasters

The World Health Organization supports the need for continuous efforts to lessen the potential morbidity and mortality from disasters and emergencies Hospitals and health facility disaster preparedness is particularly important not only because of the intrinsic vulnerability of their inpatient population, but because these institutions have the additional burden of maintaining some level of function after a disaster to respond to the health needs of the community emerging from the same event. 

One strategy for emergency preparedness and risk reduction is through the routine execution of hospital and health facility emergency exercises.

The Healthcare Coalition of Rhode Island encourages members to provide training to all staff on agency-specific emergency plans, policies, and procedures to ensure preparedness for all-hazards emergencies. In addition, HCRI members should familiarize themselves with the Coalition’s Preparedness and Response Plans, as well as the Healthcare System Event Work Plan.

Exercises are a key component to national preparedness – they provide the whole community with the opportunity to shape planning, assess and validate, and address areas for improvement. HCRI conforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) to design, conduct, and evaluate exercises that validate plans and training effectiveness. Exercise findings are used to refine plans and implement other corrective actions to better prepare the Coalition and its members for future emergenciesH