In preparation for terrorist strikes, many major U.S. hospitals are preparing themselves for the worst by practicing and refining disaster operation strategies, according to an article on the Advance Healthcare Network website.
The Department of Homeland Security has published a U.S. Active Shooter Plan that outlines how facilities should train in preparation to respond to a mass casualty event.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends an "all hazards" approach to hospital emergency planning — simultaneously preparing for both acts of terrorism and unintentional or natural public health emergencies.
"The Johns Hopkins Hospital has developed a process or 'all hazards' approach to respond in the event of a crisis or disaster," Howard Gwon, senior director of the Office of Emergency Management at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, said in the article. "Our staff members actively prepare for such instances through drills and exercises on an ongoing basis. In addition, we have plans in place to respond to mass casualty or surge capacity incidents."
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