HAP Blog

As emergency managers, we have to consider the threats on the horizon, and those that pose larger, systemic risks. This helps us be ready for the patients in the hospital, and those that may need care over time. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how climate change affects our overall emergency preparedness.

It is that time of year where we put away our severe thunderstorm maps and start taking a look at the winter weather radar. Here in Pennsylvania, we know a single storm can dump a few feet in one region of the state and deliver only a slight rainfall in another just a few miles away. For emergency managers, that means we have to be ready to adjust for conditions that change in an instant.

Hospitals and health systems always have been caretakers for patients and their sensitive personal information, but this year has tested us like never before. We’ve read countless headlines and emergency sector notices about new digital threats, and they serve as a reminder of the work ahead.

When you think about the time we spend on the various phases of emergency management, you quickly learn that most of our effort resides in the preparedness phase. 

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to review your winter weather plans.

Emergency managers specializing in information technology have always known about the cybersecurity dangers that exist, especially in health care. Now, we’re seeing federal action to catch up to the digital threats we face.