Chapter 14

Disaster Management

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 Objectives
 Discuss types of diseases including natural and human-
made.
 Evaluate the effects of disasters on people and their
communities.
 Describe the disaster management phases of prevent,
preparedness, response, and recovery and explain the
nurse’s role in each phase.
 Describe the steps to take to initiate and maintain a
disaster clinic.
 Identify how community groups and other organizations
such as the American Red Cross can work together to
prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

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 Introduction
 The number of disasters, both human-made and
natural, continues to increase, as does the
number of people affected by them.
 The cost to recover from a disaster has risen
sharply because of the amount of technology
that must be restored.
 Nurses are increasingly getting involved in
disaster planning, response, and recovery
through their local health department or local
government.

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 Disasters
 Disaster: any natural or human-made incident that causes
disruption, destruction, and/or devastation requiring external
assistance
 Range in size
 Are expensive (lives affected, property lost/damaged)
 Developing countries experience disproportionate burden from
natural disasters
 Types of disasters
 Natural disasters
 Human-made disasters
 Chemical
 Biological
 Radiologic
 Nuclear
 Explosive

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 Disasters
 There are ways to prevent or manage how people
and their communities respond to disasters.
 Although the number of disasters worldwide continues to
grow, the number of lives lost has decreased.
 U.S. agencies, directives, and systems
 U.S. Department of Homeland Security
 National Preparedness Guidelines
 National Response Plan
 National Incident Management System
 Public Health and Medical Preparedness and the National
Health Security Strategy

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 Healthy People 2020
 Disasters clearly affect the HP 2020 objectives
that relate to unintentional injuries, occupational
safety and health, environmental health, and
food and drug safety.

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 Disaster Management Cycle
 Prevention (mitigation)
 Preparedness
 Personal preparedness
• Personal checklist
• Emergency supplies kit
• ARC and FEMA
 Professional preparedness
• Disaster medical assistance teams
 Community preparedness
• National Health Security Strategy (NHSS)
• Disaster and Mass Casualty Exercises

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 Role of the Nurse in Disaster
Preparedness
 Help initiate or update the agency’s disaster plan
 Provide educational programs and materials
regarding disasters specific to the area.
 Organize disaster drills.
 Provide an updated record of vulnerable populations
within the community.
 Review individual strategies.

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 Disaster Management Cycle
 Response
 National Response Framework
 Emergency Support Functions
 National Incident Management System
 Response to Bioterrorism
 International Relief Efforts
 Psychological Stress of Disaster Workers

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How Disasters Affect Communities
 Physical and emotional effects depend on
 Type, cause, and location
 Magnitude and extent of disaster
 Duration of disaster
 Amount of warning
 Stress reactions in individuals
 Stress reactions in the community
 Heroic
 Honeymoon
 Disillusionment
 Reconstruction

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 Role of the Nurse in
Disaster Response
 Advocate
 Assessment
 Understand what community resources are
available
 Often first responder
 Case finding and referring
 Prevention
 Health education
 Surveillance
 Triage

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 Shelter Management
 Local Red Cross chapter
 Nurses working in shelters:
 Provide assessments and referrals.
 Meet health care needs, such as helping clients get
prescription glasses, medications, first aid, and
appropriate diet adjustments.
 Keep client records.
 Ensure emergency communications.
 Provide a safe environment.

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 Disaster Management Cycle
 Recovery
 Recovery is about returning to the new normal with
the goal of reaching a level of organization that is as
near the level prior to the disaster as is possible.
 Often the hardest part of the disaster.
 Recovery occurs as all involved agencies pull
together to restore the economic and civic life of the
community.

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 Role of the Nurse in
Disaster Recovery
 Teach proper hygiene and make sure
immunization records are current.
 Make referrals to mental health professionals.
 Be alert for environmental hazards.
 Assess dangers of live or dead animals.
 Case finding and referral

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 Future of Disaster Management
 Continue to plan and train in all-hazards
environment, regardless of specialty practice.
 The nature of disasters will retain the element of
unpredictability.
 That unpredictability and the medical and public
health surge requirements in disaster make
prevention and preparedness activities on the part of
individuals and communities even more important.

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