HAP Blog

A potential fourth surge of COVID-19 continues to be a key concern for hospitals, many of which are monitoring upward trends while also running vaccine clinics. Now is the time to evaluate capacity management plans and see where we can apply lessons learned to improve them.

For most facilities, a good hazard vulnerability provides a roadmap for preparing for crises. It helps you determine your level of preparedness to address a disaster that may cause an impact on safety or services occurring at or near your facility. COVID-19 has shifted the way that we plan for and respond to crises, and—once we enter the recovery phase of this crisis—you likely will need to revisit your HVA to account for systemic changes and lessons learned.

Business continuity no longer means just focusing on your facilities; your focus also needs to include your employees’ at-home safety.

Especially during COVID-19, hospitals and patients, alike, are increasingly leveraging on technology to conduct everything from patient visits to reservations for vaccination. With this enhanced reliance on digital communications, cybersecurity is vital to preserving the normal functioning of health care organizations and protecting patient information. 

Typically, a lot of effort and resources go into the planning and execution of exercises in order to ensure they are meeting the needs and getting the most value from the time staff commit to them. The end of the “action” could be considered the start of the real work for the emergency manager: creating the After Action Report and Improvement Plan.