NURS FPX 6618 Assessment 3 Disaster Plan With Guidelines for Implementation NURS-FPX 6618 Leadership in Care Coordination Disaster Plan with Guidelines for Implementation: Tool Kit for the Team
Hello, everyone! This is __. First, I want to thank you all for listening to my presentation. In healthcare practice, it is crucial to be prepared for difficult times and devise a plan to overcome challenges, especially in care coordination for the elderly population with chronic illnesses. This assignment provides an overview of a disaster plan to assist during such times.
Outline of the Presentation
The topics I will cover are:
- Care coordination needs
- Elements of a Disaster Preparedness Project Plan
- Personnel and Material Resources Needed in Emergencies
- Standards and Best Practices for Safeguarding
- Interagency and Interprofessional Relationships
- Local, National, and International Regulatory Requirements
- Care coordination team
Care Coordination Needs of the Elderly Population
The elderly population is significantly at risk during disasters, as it becomes challenging to provide adequate care with proper coordination. Challenges include unmet healthcare needs, emergency and chronic illness management, limited accessibility to healthcare, insufficient equipment, and a shortage of healthcare providers (Chung, 2022). During the pandemic, meeting the healthcare needs of the elderly, such as medication and palliative care for chronic illnesses, was notably difficult. The CDC recommended nursing homes in the U.S. restrict visitation, cease activities, cancel group meals, and advise elderly individuals to stock up on medications and minimize outside contact (Lebrasseur et al., 2021).
Quarantine measures exacerbated difficulties for the elderly with chronic illnesses in managing their conditions and accessing healthcare services (Chen et al., 2020). Challenges included obtaining timely screenings, emergency check-ups, and routine healthcare visits such as dialysis or surgeries. Lockdowns led to postponed or canceled appointments, reducing screening, consultation, and monitoring, with severe consequences (Hartmann-Boyce et al., 2020). These challenges hindered healthcare organizations’ ability to support the elderly population.
To address this, many countries implemented online consultations, integrated technology into healthcare, and advised medication stockpiling. For instance, the Chinese Geriatric Endocrine Society provided guidelines for hyperglycemic crises, medication management, and certified internet-based medical services, ensuring minimal exposure during hospital visits (Hartmann-Boyce et al., 2020). These measures enable planning for evacuation and equipment management during pandemics, while educating the community on disease prevention and establishing an effective medication or e-helpline portal.
Critical Elements of a Disaster Preparedness Tool Kit
Disasters significantly impact healthcare systems, creating unmet primary care and mental health needs that persist in the disaster response phase. To ensure care coordination during such times, a disaster preparedness toolkit is vital. Post-pandemic research highlighted the need for attention to mental health issues and primary care needs (Mughal et al., 2023). Disaster effects on care coordination include delays in care for high-risk patients, financial and resource shortages, unmet needs, and burnout among professionals (Han & Suh, 2023).
The toolkit’s importance lies in fostering patient-centered, collaborative care and prioritizing the elderly with chronic conditions. Effective communication mechanisms must inform the elderly and their caregivers about available resources, protective measures, and evacuation routes. Team collaboration, including doctors, nurses, social workers, e-health providers, dieticians, and pharmacists, is essential for care delivery through timely coordination.
Factors to ensure adequate care include training the care coordination team in skills necessary for disaster settings, such as triage and mental health support. Collaboration with external organizations, such as NGOs and government bodies, ensures equitable care. Additionally, identifying high-risk patients helps prioritize care and track progress through e-health systems. Resources can be allocated and monitored through Hazard Vulnerability Analysis, which assesses potential damages and resources to enhance resilience to disasters (Emergency Preparedness, 2011). Financial aid through appropriate infrastructure can also support the elderly during crises