ABSTRACT
Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................... 118 Critical Data Sheet System Background ............................................................ 118 Critical Data Sheet System Technical Information ............................................. 119 Critical Data System Interface ...........................................................................120 Critical Data Sheet System Spatial and Nonspatial Benefits ...............................122 Other GIS Tools and Planned Enhancements ....................................................126 Conclusion ........................................................................................................127 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................127 References .........................................................................................................127
Introduction Every healthcare facility in the United States has a specific set of risks that it must address in its emergency plans. Each facility must consider the potential manmade and natural disasters that it could face and how best to protect patients and staff while adhering to all pertinent state and federal statutes and regulations and continuing to provide the best possible service to all patients in a very competitive healthcare industry. Hospital preparedness and planning is a complicated multifaceted process where the pros and cons of every aspect of emergency plans must be carefully weighed. Planning for evacuation and sheltering is a critical feature of emergency plans, particularly for facilities in areas with geologic or severe weather hazards. In many locations, hospitals must prepare for tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, or landslides. Healthcare facilities located in coastal areas must prepare extensive plans for many of these possible events along with the occurrence of hurricanes and associated storm surge, flooding, wind, and other related extreme weather conditions.
