Hospitals can still be better prepared for natural disasters

When a natural disaster strikes—whether flood, tornado, hurricane, or wildfire—nearly every aspect of a healthcare system’s operations are impacted. There is an influx of patients in crisis and a spike in calls for emergency services. There are logistical problems—impassable roads, power outages, and communication and internet breakdowns. Supply chain disruptions mean hospitals lose ready access to new medical and protective equipment and must rely on whatever backup they have on hand. And disasters require added vigilance. Healthcare systems must be wary of companies looking to capitalize on disaster situations by peddling counterfeit masks and other supplies.