1. 43 Assisting with Medical Emergencies and Emergency Preparedness
Lesson 3:
Emergency Preparedness

2. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to …
Define and spell the terms to learn for this chapter.
Explain the concept of and the medical assistant’s role in emergency preparedness.

3. The Medical Assistant’s Role During an Emergency
Be knowledgeable in the area of emergency preparedness
Know how to respond in the event of a human-caused disaster, such as a terrorist event, and to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane
Remaining calm in the event of an emergency is paramount to the success of handling it

4. Preparing for an Earthquake
Check for hazards around the facility
Identify safe places indoors and outdoors
Educate yourself and your coworkers
Have disaster supplies on hand
Develop an emergency communication plan
Help your community get ready

5. Checking Facility Hazards
Make sure shelves are fastened securely to walls
Keep large or heavy objects on lower shelves
Store any breakable items in low, closed cabinets equipped with locks
Avoid hanging heavy items on walls above where patients will sit or lie
Secure overhead light fixtures

6. Checking Facility Hazards
Repair any defective electrical wiring or leaky gas connections
Strap water heaters to wall studs and bolt them to the floor
Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations
Store all flammable products on the bottom shelves of closed cabinets with locks

7. Safe Places to Go During an Earthquake
Under sturdy furniture
Against an inside wall
Away from glass that could shatter
Away from bookcases or furniture that could fall over
In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone or electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways

8. Disaster Supplies Flashlight and extra batteries
Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First-aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Extra blankets

9. Warning Signs of a Tornado
Thunderstorms with heavy rain and large hail
Dark, almost greenish colored skies
Dark low-lying clouds
Tornado watch indicates that the weather conditions are right for a tornado and a tornado is possible.
Tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted and all persons are to take shelter immediately.

10. Safety During a Tornado
Often the basement of a building or the lowest-level of a structure
If a basement is not available, it is advisable to seek shelter in a closet or interior hallway
Above all else, stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls
Avoid elevators and use the stairs to reach the lowest level of the facility

11. Fire Preparedness
Equip the office with properly working smoke alarms placed on every level of the building, either on the ceiling or high on the walls
Equip every room with a smoke detector and test and clean once per month
Replace batteries in every alarm at least once per year, and replace every individual alarm once every 10 years
Know the escape routes to use in the event of a fire

12. Fire Preparedness
Ensure that escape ladders are available if the office is located above the first level
Store flammable items in well-ventilated areas
Repair any defective wiring to avoid a fire hazard
Locate fire extinguishers throughout the office and train staff on their use

13. Escaping a Fire
If a person’s clothes are on fire, that person should stop, drop, and roll until the fire is extinguished
Check closed doors for heat before opening
If the door is hot, it should not be opened, and another route of escape should be sought – If the door is cool, it should be opened slowly

14. Escaping a Fire
Crawl low under any smoke on the way to the exit and close doors as they are passed through to delay the spread of fire
Once out of the building, do not attempt to re-enter until or unless the fire department declares that action to be safe

15. In the Event of a Flood Listen to the radio for information
Move to higher ground
If there is time before evacuating, disconnect any electrical equipment and shut off utilities at their main valves
When evacuating, be careful not to walk through moving water

16. Preparing for a Hurricane
Secure the windows using storm shutters or plywood
Trees and shrubs around the office should be well trimmed
Secure rain gutters and clean clogged ones
If the medical office is to be evacuated before a hurricane, listen to the radio or television for information provided by local emergency management personnel
During the hurricane, listen to the radio or television for information

17. Types of Terrorist Attacks
Explosions
Biological threats
Nuclear blast

18. Questions to Ask if a Bomb Threat Is Made
When is the bomb going to explode?
Where is the bomb right now?
What does it look like?
What kind of bomb is it?
What will cause it to explode?
Provide information to the police immediately!

19. Biological Threats
Aerosols – Agents are dispersed into the air, forming a mist that may drift for miles
Animals – Some diseases are spread by insects or animals
Food and water contamination – Some agents are placed in the food or water supply
Person-to-person – Some spread of agents is possible via direct contact among people

20. In the Event of a Biological Attack
Be prepared to move away from the contaminant quickly
Wash with soap and water
Contact authorities
Listen to the radio for instructions
Remove and bag clothing if contaminated

21. In the Event of a Nuclear Blast
Take cover as quickly as possible; below ground if the building has a basement
Remain in a safe location, listening to the radio for instructions
Do not look at the flash or fireball
Lie flat on the ground with the head covered
Seek shelter as quickly as possible

22. Role of the Medical Assistant in a Mock Environmental Exposure Event
Aid in evacuation plans
Triage patients to determine which patients require immediate attention
Assist in first-aid response for wounded individuals
Administer tetanus and other vaccines under the direction of a physician
Facilitate order and organization in the midst of chaos
Implement and follow through on an environmental safety plan

23. Questions? 23