Citation

Cyganik KA. Disaster Manage. Response 2003; 1(3): 80-86.

Affiliation

Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304, USA. kcyganik@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12888746

Abstract

True disaster readiness and preparedness are not

really measured until put to the test of a real disaster. The attacks of Sept

11, 2001, put 1 community hospital and its disaster plan to the ultimate test.

The process the hospital used to review, evaluate, and change its former

disaster plan and then implement a new plan on the basis of the response to Sept

11 terrorists attacks is described. Specific challenges faced by this community

hospital, the importance of participation in a regional response effort, and how

the hospital has readied itself in a new threat environment are addressed.

Disasters affect hospitals of all sizes and geographic locations. Health care

facilities need a strong framework with which to function independently, if only

for a short time, until additional resources can be implemented.