Emergency Preparedness Essay

extremity prep bedness is vital for the safety and security of the common public. contingencys, concord to Powers (2010), are events that cause damage to lives and property during which community resources shadownot hold up with the demand. In the unfortunate event of a misfortune, having a forge in place as to how a it go out be managed allows for the smoothest executable outcome with the fewest amount of casualties. The trinity levels of emergency preparedness taproom are all(prenominal) an distinguished part of being ready for a disaster.The readiness involves the time before the disaster, the acute disaster scene, and the long marches management of the disaster survivors (Rittenmeyer, 2007). At the disaster scene, a triage color scratch system is apply to organize and prioritize patients and the level of supervise they require. in that respect are many types of disasters that can affect the public.see more absolutely essay on disaster managementThree technolog ical disasters will be addressed, all involving exposure biologic, chemic and radiation. Nurses and other health bang workers may encounter a disaster where their skills are needed, whether it be on the job or as a citizen. It is distinguished that health care workers understand the components of disaster management, triage at the scene, and different types of agents to which patients may ache been exposed. Levels of accident ManagementEmergency Preparedness PreventionThere are three levels of a disaster management computer programme primary, secondary and tertiary. Each of them is important to allow for the best possible outcome in the event of a disaster. Primary PreventionPrimary prevention involves everything that can be through with(p) before the actual disaster occurs. This includes training personnel, educating the public, and creating evacuation plans. Rittenmeyer (2007) describes disaster planning as assessing the risk of a disaster occurring as nearly as the capac ities that will be available during a disaster. First, a risk estimation to determine what hazards a particular community is vulnerable to is done (Powers, 2010). base on the findings, a disaster response plan is created for the greatest risks to the community. development and practice for the disaster(s) are the core components of primary prevention.For instance, in a infirmary setting, nurses can attend a seminar on evacuation as well as participate in an evacuation drill to simulate a real disaster. The simulation provides the opportunity to become familiar with the disaster plan and how it will be carried out. Secondary PreventionSecondary prevention, or relievo response, is the interventions that take place during the acute disaster stage (Rittenmeyer, 2007). Patients are triaged base on level of visual acuity for further considerment. If exposure to a toxin or microorganism has occurred, the nurse may be assisting with decontamination and/or applying chemical suits and r espirators.As Powers (2010) mentions, nurses in the field may be assessing the needs of the community that has been alter to determine who needs shelter, food, water or vaccinations and helping them to obtain what they need. chance relief overly includes performing rescues, relocating tribe who are displaced, and preventing disease and/or disability (Rittenmeyer, 2007). For instance, during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, nurses and other health care workers were deployed to assess, stabilize and vacate patients to safer ground (Klein & Nagel, 2007). Tertiary PreventionTertiary prevention, or disaster recovery, begins when the initial crisis is over and involves long term support for the needs of the population change by the disaster. Activities that take place during the recovery phase include reconstruct affected infrastructure, hospitalization for the injured, rehabilitation and therapy to cope with the disaster.These will vary abuseonise to the type of disaster that has occu rred. Rittenmeyer (2007) states that during the recovery phase the effectiveness of the disaster plan should be evaluated and the plan then altered based on the findings. Triage coloration Code SystemIn the event of a disaster, the triage color polity system is beneficial for three major reasons (Klein & Nagel, 2007). First, triage determines who needs rapid medical exam exam care. Next, triage reduces the amount of patients sentto hospitals by separating minor versus major injuries. Thirdly, triage distributes casualties among available medical facilities to keep any one facility from being deluged with patients.The system or so widely used during a disaster triage is the IDME color code system. The mneumonic IDME stands for the levels of acuity of the patients. Each level is assigned a color. They are as follows according to Husted (2012) IImmediate (Red) DDelayed (Yellow) MMinimal (Green) and EExpectant (Black).The categories make criteria that the responder should be fami liar with in roam to triage the patients into the appropriate color. Based on the patients level of injury, each is given a triage tag, commonly placed on the wrist. Using this system, patients are treated in hallow of the urgency of their injury.The red category is uncommunicative for critical patients. These patients are seriously injured but do have a chance of surviving. The yellow category is for patients that need first help but should not deteriorate rapidly if care is not immediate. The putting surface category is for patients that are considered the walking wounded. These patients may have minor injuries such as abrasions or contusions and can either self treat or be taken care of by a soul without medical training.The final category is the black which is for patient who is unresponsive and without a pulse or has a catastrophic chest or lintel injury (Husted, 2012). Types of DisastersThree types of disasters that could occur are exposure to biologic, chemical and hot agents. It is important that medical personnel are familiar with the types of possible toxins and agents to suitably treat those affected while protecting themselves as well. image to biological AgentsThis type of exposure is a deliberate release of a virus, bacteria or other germ (Briggs, 2006). These agents are used to cause complaint or even death. They are naturally occurring agents and can be deal out via inhalation, orally in food or water, or through the shinny (Briggs, 2006). Examples of biologicagents, also know as bioterrorism agents, are smallpox, the plague, and anthrax. Exposure to Chemical AgentsThe release of a hazardous chemical that is released and may harm peoples health is termed a chemical emergency (Centers for infirmity Control and Prevention, 2012). Chemicals can be natural or created. Examples of possible chemical health threats are nerve agents and vesicants. Nerve agents such as sarin and VX affect nerve function. Vesicants cause erythema and vesicl es on the skin and can also injure the eyes, the airway and internal organs.The nerve agent Sarin was used in 1995 in a Tokyo subway, affecting over 5,500 people (Briggs, 2006). Chemical agents are now deemed terrorist weapons. Exposure to RadiationBriggs(2006) describes ionizing radiations effect on the body. Radiation alters the cells in the body, damaging or cleaning them. External irradiation occurs when the whole body has been exposed to radiation from an remote source such as an x-ray. Contamination occurs when radioactive material comes into finish off with the body, either externally or internally. Contamination by radioactive agents can occur through contact with the skin, being inhaled or ingested. ConclusionEmergency preparedness is extremely important for the safety of the public. By having a disaster management plan in place, the acute disaster scene will not be just chaos but will have a sense of order amidst the mayhem. The injured will be organise by the triage c olor code system to ensure the treatment of those in greatest need first and delaying treatment for those that can wait. Its important to understand the differences in biologic, chemical and radioactive exposure in order to best treat patients should an unthinkable disaster occur.ReferencesAngeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http// snoot.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Briggs, S.M. (2006). 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