Disaster Preparedness
For
Pharmacists
--------
Fire
Flood
Earthquake
Emergency Incidents
--------
The mission of the Disaster Preparedness Pharmacy Coalition is to deliver educational materials to California pharmacists, technicians and pharmacy students to assist in preparing and responding to emergency situations. This brochure is the first step in meeting our mission.
Objectives:
I. Family preparedness
II. Business preparedness
III. Patient preparedness
IV. Community preparedness
V. Volunteer your services
VI. Organizations
I. Family preparedness:
Pharmacists will not be able to take care of others, unless they have first taken care of their own family during an emergency incident. Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer and more assured disaster response.
1. Talk, Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent.
2. Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster.
§ Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire.
Our location is:___________________________________________
§ Outside your neighborhood; in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.
Our location is:___________________________________________
3. Learn. Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher that you store in your home.
4. Check Supplies. Review your disaster supplies and replace water and food every six months.
5. Tell. Let everyone in the household know where emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for everyone to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to call out of the areas if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Keep the information updated.
6. Practice. Practice evacuation your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternatives on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked. Practice earthquake, flood and fire drills at home, school and work.
II. Business preparedness:
A pharmacist's work place (retail or hospital) should have a disaster plan in place as part of the "policy and procedures" guidelines. Pharmacists should encourage their managers to conduct reviews with key staff members that would be needed in a disaster. Below are some examples:
§ Communications. Learn what communication tools are available at your workplace, and what the "chain of command" will be during an emergency; have emergency numbers such that you can reach all employees.
§ Drug Inventory: The pharmacy should maintain a reasonable inventory and anticipate needs on a daily basis during an emergency. It may be necessary to obtain inventory from secondary suppliers; the business may need to establish contingency plans for such a time so the pharmacy should have contact information for alternative vendors on hand.
§ Dispensing Laws: Lessons learned in the hurricane Katrina disaster showed that thousands of people would not have their medications, nor would they be able to call their physician or their own pharmacist to fill or refill prescriptions during a future disaster. There could be a need for pharmacists to dispense emergency medications without a prescription during a declared disaster. Current California law, B and P Code section 4062, provides the board with broad waiver authority. Staff should review state board regulations for operations under declared emergencies, particularly Business & Professions Code 4062 which states:
"(a) Notwithstanding Section 4059 or any other provision of the law, a pharmacist may, in food faith, furnish a dangerous drug or dangerous device in reasonable quantities without a prescription during a federal, state, or local emergency, to further the health and safety of the public. A record containing the date, name and address of the person to whom the drug or device is furnished, and the name and strength, and quantity of the drug or device furnished shall be maintained. The pharmacist shall communicate this information to the patients attending physician as soon as possible. Notwithstanding section 4060 or any other provision of the law, a person may possess a dangerous drug or device furnished without a prescription pursuant to this section.
“ (b) During a declared federal, state, or local emergency, the board may waive application of any provisions of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to it if, in the boards opinion, the waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care."
§ Business Records: Computer back up of business records should be done as soon as possible and secured.
§ Evacuation plans: Review all emergency exits and learn the location of meeting places should there be a need to evacuate.
§ Staffing: Plan ahead for use of professional staff from adjacent pharmacies or hospitals, in the event your staff is impacted.
§ Emergency supplies inventory: Plan for additional healthcare needs, bottled water, first aid supplies, home care, batteries etc when there are warnings of a possible emergency.
III. Patient preparedness:
Lessons learned in the Katrina disaster showed that patients often times had to evacuate their homes and neighborhoods with little or no notice. Most people that are on medications were left without their needed medications or any record of what they are taking.
Pharmacists in all settings can help their patients be better prepared for a future emergency by doing some or all of the following:
1. Plan ahead. Occasionally obtain from your local Red Cross or local Salvation Army free emergency preparedness brochures to hand out to all your patients.
2. Wallet Cards: When doing the above, also encourage your patients to "carry" with them (wallet or purse cards) that list all of their medications and physician name/s and phone number/s. List any OTC medications as well, Design your business card such that patients can use the "back" of your card to record key medication information.
3. Patient Profiles: When ever you provide a copy of a patient profile, encourage patients to keep a copy handy in their car or with their evacuation/personal papers for emergency use.
4. Children/Elders: Encourage your patients to also keep medication records for all their children and or elderly parents with them as well.
5. Emergency Advertisements: From time to time, run an emergency preparation ad or provide handouts that address the above suggestions.
6. Pets: If you have pets, plan for their care, food, water and or evacuation plans.
IV. Community preparedness
When a disaster strikes your community will change in an instant. Loved ones and neighbors may be injured and emergency response may be delayed. At least one member of every household should be trained in first aid, CPR, and the use of automatic external defibrillator (AED).
In California, emergencies are managed at the local level. Local police, the County Sheriff, fire, and the county Public Health Officer will all be key figures in the management and coordination of emergency services.
Pharmacists may be called upon to assist public health officials during incidents such as a bioterrorism event such as an anthrax attack where assets of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Strategic National Stockpile may be needed to be dispensed at Mass Antibiotic Dispensing sites.
V. Pharmacist Volunteer Opportunities
Pharmacists can provide critical expertise, experience and knowledge that can greatly assist during an emergency. In a mass dispensing situation as noted above, pharmacists can conduct patient interviews, screen medical histories and recommend drug regimens. Pharmacists can also supervise pools of non-medical personnel to assist in mass dispensing.
Pharmacists should consider joining emergency response organizations before the emergency occurs. These organizations will provide the means to become familiar with emergency services and protocols in the local area. They are also a venue for pharmacists to provide their expertise in the improvement of these plans. These organizations are familiar with local, state, and federal plans and provide a vital link between governmental organizations and the individual citizen. The organizations mentioned below offer emergency training and membership may provide legal protections when providing emergency services.
VI. Organizations:
While there are many organizations which are seeking pharmacists, the Disaster Preparedness Pharmacy Coalition would like to bring your attention to the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC is sponsored by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. The mission of the MRC is to establish teams of local volunteers, medical and other health professionals, who can contribute their skills. There are more than 30 MRC units in California. If you are interested in obtaining more information log onto http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/.
Another valuable organization is the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT); these teams are part of the National Disaster Medical System. These teams are trained and organized to be deployed across the United States; more information can be found at www.oep-ndms.dhhs.gov and www.dmat.org.
Other important organizations that assist in local emergencies include the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
This material was last revised 8/1/07
Feedback: Please send any comments / recommendations for improving this resource to Carl Britto at brittocm@comcast.net