Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) additional procedures for managing Public Information activities and for a form for documenting media contacts. If Kern Medical receives a media inquiry, the organizational media relations policy will be put into place. If Kern Medical is part of a larger organization the media relations may be handled by the headquarters PIO . See AppendixP.4 - Communications for information disseminations procedures. • The PIO will coordinate release of information to the community on the status of staff, family and friends. Briefings will be held at a safe location away from the designated assembly area to prevent further interruptions with evacuation and treatment efforts. • The PIO will participate in media interviews and develop communications strategies to keep patients and community members informed of the situation at Kern Medical, its operating status, and alternatives for receiving services. • The PIO should establish relationships with community media, especially outlets that are preferred by communities served by Kern Medical including non-English language broadcast media, where appropriate. • In coordination with the City/County, the PIO can provide information to the community that includes recommended actions, protective measures, and locations of various services and resources. Under some circumstances, the PIO can request broadcast media to broadcast a message specifically for the staff of the hospital to inform them of hospital operational status and expected actions. Information should be disseminated in the languages spoken in the communities served by Kern Medical. Communication with Staff The PIO will coordinate the delivery of information to staff through flyers, meetings, and conference calls. Information provided can include hospital status, impact of the incident on the community, status of the overall response, and hospital management decisions. The PIO will also be alert for the spread of rumors among staff and will apply rumor control procedures to curtail the spread of false information. Kern Medical communicates, in writing, the roles and responsibilities of licensed independent practitioners during emergencies upon initial credentialing. These roles and responsibilities are also updated every two years during the re-credentialing process with our licensed independent practitioners. All licensed independent practitioners will report to the Chief Medical Officer or his/her designee during disasters. Communications with Patients and Family Members Staff will communicate with patients during an emergency response and Code Triage activities in order to allay their anxieties. It is essential that the patients understand the reasons for the accelerated activities they notice, and be reassured. Staff will be made available to talk with patients as applicable. For patients whose family was not able to arrive at the hospital prior to an emergency in the community or the hospital, the information officer will contact family members to inform them of the conditions of their loved ones and the emergency response activities. If the hospital can no longer sustain operations and relocation of patients becomes necessary; the information officer will notify family members (those present at the hospital and those unable to get to

3.9.6 Community Relations

3.9.7

3.9.8

3.9.9

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