Lesson 7 Updating and Evaluating the Hospital Disaster Management Plan

Study Guide

This final lesson stresses the importance of frequent updating and evaluation of a hospital disaster management plan to reflect changes in personnel and resources and correct any failings in performance. The student will not be accountable for all of the detailed information presented but will be expected to understand the principles involved and the various methods available for evaluation and updating of a plan.

Learning Objectives

Give two reasons for updating a hospital plan at least once a year.

Understand the need to evaluate every element of the institution and the activities each is expected to carry out in implementing the plan.

List the two main purposes of an evaluation.

List the types of drills that may be used in evaluating a plan.

List the three principal objectives of drills.

Know the importance of involving external agencies and institutions in a drill evaluating a hospital plan.

Understand the advantages that simulated disasters provide to a plan's evaluation.

Understand the benefits and limitations that performance audits provide to a plan's evaluation.

Learning Activities

Read pages 63-73 in the manual.

Evaluation

Complete the Self-Assessment Test.

Notes

Lesson 7
Self-Assessment Test

Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer(s):

1. The three principal objectives of a drill are to:

a. train staff, develop flexibility in thought and response, and minimize response time

b. define roles, develop flexibility in thought and response, and test participants' abilities to respond promptly and correctly under stress

c. lay the groundwork for preparing a disaster management plan, involve participants in the decision-making process, and test knowledge and efficiency

d. define roles, test knowledge and efficiency, and minimize response time

e. train staff, detect any flaws in the plan, and minimize response time

True/False

Indicate T or F:

__ 2. Hospital disaster plans should be updated frequently.

__ 3. A disaster plan that stood the test of a real disaster need not be evaluated and updated.

__ 4. An in-service drill tests how well the entire hospital performs as a treatment center for emergency care of mass-casualty victims following a disaster.

__ 5. If staffing changes have been made, the hospital disaster plan should automatically be updated to reflect these changes.

__ 6. Evaluation of the disaster plan should not take place while the disaster situation is occurring.

__ 7. Including institutions (armed forces, the Red Cross, fire departments) in hospital disaster drills will insure coordination.

Answer Key

1. e
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. F
7. T