Emergency Preparedness

Louisiana is all too familiar with the tragedy that an emergency situation can bring. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods are common in our state, and hospitals and healthcare facilities need to prepare to address the challenges for continuing care to our residents during these difficult situations. 

What can your healthcare facility do to be ready when threatened by a hurricane? 

• Review and test the healthcare facility’s emergency operations plan, including their process on notifying patients and staff of closure or altered hours.  
• Update contact information for staff, community partners, etc.
• Prepare your staff members in advance of an emergency to ensure they are familiar with their assigned roles and procedures during an emergency situation.
• Prepare for power loss. If your facility does not have a generator, confirm agreements (written) with pharmacies, hospitals or other clinics regarding the transfer and storage of your clinic’s refrigerated medications or vaccines. If your facility has a generator, test it to ensure it works properly and have the supplies needed to use the generator. 
• Have a clearly labeled “emergency to-go” bag that contains items such as a weather radio, jump drive for important documents and lists (such as contact lists) that may be needed, flashlight and PPE, such as masks and gloves, etc.

The team at Well-Ahead Louisiana, through our Provider Education Network, provides access to trainings, guidance and technical assistance that will help your hospital or healthcare facility act quickly and cohesively to protect the wellbeing of your patients in an emergency situation. 

Training to Prepare for Emergency Situations

The state requires all Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to participate in two emergency preparedness trainings each year and have a written emergency plan. Within the emergency plan, all staff members are to be knowledgeable of:

• Their assigned role
• Who to contact for the clinic including community responders and state contacts
• Methods of communication to use in the event of a disaster
• Gathering and storing important documents and essential supplies

For training opportunities, the Louisiana Department of Health, in partnership with Well-Ahead and the Louisiana Rural Health Association, has an annual emergency preparedness training series that hospitals and healthcare facilities can participate in. In addition, Well-Ahead hosts tabletop exercises and workshops that prepare participants on handling specific emergency situations; including hurricanes, fires, active shooters, civil disturbances and personal threats.

If you need assistance in completing a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis, developing an Emergency Operations Plan or conducting a Facility Specific Exercise, fill out this form at the bottom of the page to connect with our team. 

Virtual Emergency Preparedness Lunch and Learn Training Series

The Louisiana Department of Health provides educational emergency preparedness trainings to medical facilities and interested parties. All healthcare partners, including RHCs, FQHCs, critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals, are encouraged to attend.

This lunch and learn zoom series included briefs from other State Agency and Emergency Support Function leads on a range of topics. Learn more about each session by viewing the flyer. All sessions will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on the days identified below. Click the title of each session to join.

• May 3, 2023: Multi-Agency Shelter Transition Teams (MASTT) and Recovery Process (Recording)
• May 11, 2023: National Weather Service (NWS) – Hurricane Season 2023 Predictions (Recording)
• May 17, 2023: Multi-Agency Presentation on Sheltering (Recording)
• May 24, 2023: HB933 Nursing Home Regulations (Recording)
• May 31, 2023: Water System Consolidation & Grading
• June 14, 2022: EMS Surge Plan
• June 21, 2022: Readiness Planning with Vulnerable Populations
• June 20, 2023: Mass Fatality/ Cemetery Reinternment

Additional Emergency Preparedness Trainings

Cybersecurity Virtual Tabletop Exercise | May 23, 2023

This interactive workshop on cybersecurity was led by experts from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This tabletop was for administration, information technology and medical staff.

Resources: Slide Deck, Situation Manual, Additional Questions, Hotwash Exercise