earthquake management process

earthquake management process

Introduction

Healthcare systems play a significant role during the occurrence of disasters. In the event of the emergences, numerous individuals suffer massive injuries that require medical attention. Similarly, in the development of the accidents, the lack of preparedness and adequate medical resources may create risks within the healthcare sector. In most cases, the occurrence of earthquakes results in an escalated number of casualties that may create pressure on the available medical facilities.

Consequently, the health system management system has enacted plans that facilitate the provision of adequate medical services in the event of emergencies. The principles laid out by the medical units ensure the provision of services to both regular patients and victims of earthquakes. As such, the plans are critical in the earthquake management process.

Principles

During the management of earthquakes, healthcare units focus on surge capacity. Accordingly, the policy focuses on the ability of the healthcare units to provide adequate care to both the regular patients and the victims of earthquakes. As such, hospital management needs to incorporate the efforts of security and technological departments. Earthquakes result in varied effects. Thus, proper coordination between the medical teams and the relevant departments is crucial. Equally, since earthquakes occur in numerous causalities, the principle of effective coordination aids in faster response and provision of adequate medical care.

Additionally, thorough analysis enhances the effective management of the aftermath of earthquakes. The relevant teams conduct a risk analysis to establish the dangers posed by the occurrence of earthquakes. Further, professionals must also develop vulnerable individuals and formulate the appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, vulnerability evaluation confirms the nature of the impact of shocks on individuals. As such, a useful analysis of the available infrastructural network concerning communication lines is crucial. In the event of earthquakes, efficient telephone and internet services are vital for information exchange. Further, the healthcare department must have adequate details regarding the probability of earthquake occurrence. Well documented information on the disaster is critical for the planning phase of victim management.

Further, the hospital system must establish an adequate preparedness plan. Accurate projection regarding the occurrence of earthquakes is crucial in the management of earthquake victims. The existence of earthquakes also necessities collaborative efforts within the medical staff. As such, the healthcare principle on reinforcement results in adequate medical care. Likewise, the coordination process results in the effective utilization of resources for the care of earthquake victims. The disaster management teams thus must provide skilled training to the healthcare personnel to enhance the management of the disaster. As such, through effective planning, the healthcare system is well prepared to handle the adverse effects of earthquakes. As such, healthcare management principles are useful in the mitigation of the impact of shocks.

Issues in Earthquake Management

Healthcare systems face numerous challenges during the administration of care to the victims of earthquakes. The occurrence of the disaster results in a strain on the medical facilities as well as the nursing staff. For instance, the systems face the challenge of taking care of the existing patients as well as the incoming victims. There may also arise challenged due to communication between the caregivers and other stakeholders. The occurrence of earthquakes results in massive damage to infrastructural facilities like roads, bridges, and telecommunication lines.

Similarly, the aftermath results in difficulties concerning access to healthcare facilities as well as the point of occurrence of the disaster. Equally, the earthquakes may also cause damages to medical systems through the damages to buildings. As such, the event may result in inadequate equipment for the provision of services to the victims. As such, the treatment of the victims occurs through the use of temporary facilities. Ultimately, the case results in challenges to the caregivers due to the absence of the relevant resources.

In the case of earthquake occurrence, the medical teams the challenge of handling the numerous victims. A large number of injured individuals result in pressure on the available resources. In the case of damage to hospital buildings, evacuation may be necessary. Equally, the transfers result in a lack of specialized treatment for the high number of victims. The lack of equipment and specialization causes a massive shortage of service delivery. In certain instances, the situation may result in the death of patients or permanent disabilities. Further, the destruction of the hospital buildings causes a shortage of documentation resources. As such, healthcare practitioners are face recording challenges during the caregiving process.

Further, damage to the existing telecommunications infrastructure may be an aftermath of an earthquake. Healthcare provision relies heavily on an efficient infrastructural network. The evacuation process entails regular communication between the caregivers and the coordinators. As such, the damage to the communication lines may hinder the healthcare service provision process.

Additionally, the coordination process is critical during the management of earthquake victims. Both internal and external coordination is necessary to facilitate patient recovery. Internal coordination entails proper communication procedures and organization of resources to enhance service delivery to the victims. Similarly, the lack of effective coordination may result in limitations concerning the availability of medical supplies. The case may hinder information exchange. Equally, communication between medical personnel halts as a result of damage to the communication lines. The lack of organization during care delivery may hinder victim assistance. For instance, the absence of an effective command structure may result in chaos concerning the scheduling of response processes. Additionally, the lack of accountability among health officials may disrupt the disaster management process. Lack of preparedness also hinders the capabilities of earthquake management. Inadequate preparations concerning the training of health personnel may result in poor service delivery. Equally, the lack of research in past earthquake events may also hinder patient management. Through the tracking of records concerning earthquake events, information on the mitigation measures may be available for victim management.

Further, logistics issues may also hider the patient management process. For instance, the lack of adequate funds may cause challenged to the procurement of essential medical equipment. The logistic challenges result in adverse effects concerning the handling of a large number of victims of earthquakes. The lack of donors for the emergency event may also halt the recovery operations. Ultimately, the provision of healthcare is critical during the disaster period. However, the existence of several planning issues hampers the process.

Injuries

The aftermath of an earthquake causes traumatic events to the victims. The disaster results in both long term and short term medical complications. Further, the type of injuries associated with the events are complex and put pressure on the medical resources which become limited during the period. The effects are so severe that some of the patients that survive the physical and mental trauma succumb in the long run. The disaster not only results in death but also cases that may call for surgical procedures. Depending on the magnitude of the earthquake, the events may also result in death. The common forms of injuries that occur among the victims of earthquakes include mental trauma and damage to the spinal cord. Depending on the degree of force, the crushes resulting from the disaster result in massive strain on the body muscle. The consequences of power are potential damage to the limbs and the skeletal muscles. Equally, the nature of the injuries is severe, and as such, the patients face the possibility of death. The disaster also results in injuries to vital body organs like the liver and the spleen.

Further, the earthquake also results in bone fractures. The bruises are severe in most cases, such that lack of timely medical attention may result in death. The events may also result in blood poisoning. The condition fosters the occurrence of bleeding that may ultimately lead to organ failure. Victims of earthquakes that experience usually succumbs a few weeks after the event.

Additionally, individuals with underlying medical conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular complications may experience increased pain. Further, the effect of the disaster may also result in chest injuries. The occurrence of earthquakes results in damage to the sanitation systems. As such, the event exposes individuals to respiratory diseases. Thus, the presence of shocks results in numerous injuries that may have long term impact on the lives of the victims.

Vulnerable Populations

During the occurrence of earthquakes, the elderly and children face numerous challenges. For instance, the disaster hampers movement. Since earthquakes result in the collapse of buildings and infrastructural networks, children and the elderly find it difficult to relocate on their own. As such, they are likely to be trapped, which poses more danger.

Public Health Issues

The occurrence of earthquakes results in damage to water services. Similarly, the event exposes individuals to the risk of contracting water-borne diseases. Similarly, due to a large number of victims, the evacuation process may result in overcrowding. As such, the potential of occurrence of infectious ailments like respiratory challenges increases. Similarly, the implementation of efficient measures that can control the appearance of epidemics during earthquakes. For instance, the establishment of efficient sanitation services is vital for disease control.

Significance of Collaborations

Collaborations among the relevant agencies are critical in the management of the aftermath of earthquakes. The efforts also aid in the minimization of the effects of the disaster. Equally, the measures foster efficient utilization of available resources to avert the condition. The agencies may promote the process through donations and provision of relevant infrastructure. The cooperation between the agencies enhances the communication processes between the healthcare personnel and the relevant stakeholders. The occurrence of earthquakes results in long term mental and physical challenges. Thus, the partnerships improve the rapid management of the event.

Conclusion

Natural disasters like earthquakes have severe implications for the healthcare system. The effects of the event result in damages to the medical systems as well s injuries to individuals. As such, through effective preparedness programs, measures can be taken by the hospital management system to avert the nature of the damages. Additionally, the effects of the disaster concerning the evacuation process affect the vulnerable groups within society. Further, due to the injury to the social services, the aftermath of the earthquake may experience an outbreak in water-borne diseases like cholera. Thus, partnerships between the relevant stakeholders are crucial in the minimization of the impact of the disaster.