Looking for Trouble: How To Plan for the Next Crisis

Preparing healthcare facilities for natural and manmade threats

By Dan Hounsell


The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the ever-present challenges of planning for, responding to and recovering from a crisis. To achieve these goals, healthcare workers depend on resilient facilities and flexible, fast response times when the unexpected occurs. 

Facilities managers can mitigate a potential loss of services by prioritizing critical improvements and repairs to physical spaces before a disaster hits and having a fast and reliable construction strategy once it does, according to Health Facilities Management, and using a four step plan — assess, prioritize, align and enhance — can increase the chances for success.

Consider the importance of risk assessments, for example. Managers know the importance of conducting functional risk assessments of all potential hazardous scenarios that could be experienced by their institutions. The identification of external risks associated with patient surge, pandemics, terrorism, loss of utilities, acts of nature and other critical issues should include analysis and identification of any backlogs of capital renewal or aging infrastructure.



May 5, 2021


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

States Move Forward to Better Protect Senior Citizens

Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable population and require a certain level of care. States are trying to protect them.


Archer and REDA to Transform Newport Beach Building into Outpatient Center

Groundbreaking on the Newport Irvine Medical Center is scheduled for June 2025.


Sunflower Medical Group Facing Lawsuit Following January Data Breach

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, damages, expanded credit monitoring services and security improvements at Sunflower Medical Group.


Nemours Children's Health Opens New Location in Lake Nona

The nearly 8,000-square-foot facility will increase access to primary and specialty care services.


Enhancing Safety at Hennepin Healthcare with a Screening System

Case study: The system was able to detect 2,500 risk items in less than five months.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.