Discussion response

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Post a thoughtful response to at least two (2) other colleagues’ initial postings. Responses to colleagues should be supportive and helpful (examples of an acceptable comment are: “This is interesting – in my practice, we treated or resolved (diagnosis or issue) with (x, y, z meds, theory, management principle) and according to the literature…” and add supportive reference. Avoid comments such as “I agree” or “good comment.”

References:

  • Response posts: Minimum of one (1) total reference: one (1) from peer-reviewed or course materials reference per response.

Words Limits

  • Response posts: Minimum 100 words excluding references.


Discussion 1

Public health nurses have many responsibilities towards their community, especially knowing what to do in an emergency situation due to natural and man-made disasters. Nurses can help in any of the stages of emergency or disaster. It is important for the nurse to know what to do in all types of emergencies and continue to be educated in the stages of disaster. In this discussion, the role and responsibilities of a nurse will be reviewed and how Allegheny County is prepared to handle a natural disaster.

The nurse’s role in community health is preparing patients for any type of disaster/emergency and responding to them (McEwen & Nies, p.561). Education is imperative and is the first step that should be taught to patients and the community in the prevention stage and the preparedness and planning stage. Nurses should know what types of disasters are prevalent in their area and know how to respond to those disasters if it hits the community. Educating the patient to have an emergency kit readily available and a meeting place for all family members should be taught when disaster strikes in case individuals get separated from their family. It is vital for nurses to keep up on their basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and automated external defibrillator education and skills in order to better serve their community if and when disaster strikes (McEwen & Nies, p. 561).

As a home health nurse, our agency recently implemented an Emergency Preparedness Plan form that we have to review with patients and their families on admissions. It is a nicely printed out plan that lists recommendations of what to have on hand that is needed during an emergency/disaster such as: food, water, extra medicines, oxygen tanks, blankets, and clothes, to name a few. We are expected to review the information on admission, and any time there is a change in the patient’s status, for example, if they had a readmission to the hospital and are now home again but with oxygen, and had not had oxygen before. Another example is if they are now on tube feedings or a ventilator.

Allegheny County Health Department has an emergency preparedness and response program. On their website they have a detailed guide line of how to prepare for an emergency or disaster situation. They have a nice list of items to have on hand or how to prepare an emergency kit that can be easily accessed. The website also lists other county, state, and federal websites for individuals to access for more information on emergency preparedness. Another advantage in looking at the Emergency Preparedness link is that it lists how to plan for all types of individuals, and pets. For example, disabled individuals, deaf and blind, and special needs individuals.

Communication is essential for any disaster planning and response (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, 2012). Nurses especially when involved with any stage of disaster should be communicating clearly to others and collaborate with the officials. Nurses should try to remain calm throughout the process. Staying calm and helping other individuals get through the crisis can help set the tone that people can get through a tough and emergent situation.

References:

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing. (2012). The role of the nurse in emergency preparedness. Retrieved from http://www.jognn.org/article/S0884- 2175(15)31094-7/pdf.

McEwen, M. & Nies, M. A. (2015). Community/public health nursing. (6th ed.) (p.561).

St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.

Discussion 2

A man-made or natural disaster is something we all wish to never happen but always want to be prepared for. We have specific guidelines that we are supposed to follow when a disaster strikes to make getting people the help they need smoothly. A disaster is defined as a level destruction/death/injury that affects the community to respond using their available resources (Nies & McEwen, 2014).

Allen County has 15 emergency support functions that are related to the Nation Response Plan for when a disaster strikes (Allen County Health Department, 2011). The plan is designed to help prevent, prepare, respond and recover those affected by the disaster (Allen County Health Department, 2011). There is also an Emergency Operations Base Plan that is designed to help alter, dispatch and employ those who are needed during the disaster (Allen County Public Health, 2011).

The role of the public health nurse is to help with the identification of hazardous materials, determine protective actions for the public’s health, coordinate the protective measures as indicated by the Health Commissioner, initiate disease interventions as appropriate, if evacuation is essential make sure that there is food, water, and that any diseases that can be spread is minimized, quarantine any individuals that is a threat to the health of others, and pick a representative for when the EOC is activated (Allen County Public Health, 2011). It is also imperative that the public knows about what is going on when the disaster strikes. The public health nurse will need to make a statement as to what the public needs to know and what they need to do to stay safe and healthy.

Allen County is prepared for a disaster by participating in an annual disaster preparedness day. Local hospital employees along with the health department team up to create a scenario that could potentially happen in Allen County. The run through the entire scenario, making sure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to do, they act everything out like they would if it was actually happening.

Public health nurses play a vital role when a disaster strikes. The nurses are responsible for those that are hurt and preventing more people from getting hurt. Instead of doing our annual disaster scenario, I wish that they would do it twice a year with different scenarios. You can never be too prepared for when a disaster strikes. Being over prepared is better than being underprepared.

References

Nies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2014). Community/public health nursing: promoting the health of populations. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Allen County Health Department. (2011, July). ESF-8 Public Health and Medical Services. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://allencountypublichealth.org/wp-content/upl…