Chapter 36: Emergency Preparedness and Protective Practices

negative reaction usually occur during emergency situation when____

when physical and emotional resources are depleted

Three elements for a fire to occur

1. A fuel source 2. An ignition source ( heat) 3. Oxygen

What are three stages of the GAS

1. Alarm phase 2. Resistance phase 3. Recovery or exhaustion phase

what are the five elements that must be included in the fire prevention plan?

1. A list of all major fire hazards including - proper handling and storage of fire hazard - Potential ignition source and control - Type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each fire hazard 2. Procedures to control accumulation of flammable and combustible waste materials 3. Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguard installed on heat producing equipment 4. Name or job title of employee responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent and control ignition source or fire 5. Name or job title of employee responsible for the control of fuel source hazards

What are some methods to account for all employees after an evacuation?

1. Assigned assembly area for employee to meet after evacuation 2. Taking headcount 3. The use of employee roster checklist

What are location should be included in the evacuation floor plan?

1. Employee's current location 2. Primary and secondary exit routes 3. Manual fire alarm boxes 4. Portable fire extinguishers 5. Emergency exit doors 6. Wheelchair accessible exits

Secondary exit route

Escape route in the event the primary route becomes blocked by smoke or fire It is often represented by the blue dash line

What is the most common type of emergency situation that occur in the workplace?

Fire

How should MA respond with emergency in workplace?

Focusing on responding to the immediate situation Implementing established procedures Helping others

Positive reaction in emergency situation

Involve the triggering of resources, both internal and external, to meet the challenges

Intervention for panic attack

Same with severe anxiety. It may be necessary to make transportation arrangement for the patient

Primary exit route

The quickest and easiest way to exit a building during an evacuation It is usually represented on the floor plan by a continuous solid red line with directional arrow

What are basic step to follow in responding to a fire

RACE R: Rescue anyone in immediate danger of the fire A: Activate the alarm C: Confine the fire by closing door and windows E: Extinguish the fire and evacuate the area

What are the important safety measures employed in fire protection?

Sprinkler Systems Fire doors Fire-resistant cabinet Fire Alarms Smoke detector

List some guidelines for the exit routes

1. Exits should be clearly marked and well lit 2. Exit routes must be at least 28 inches wide at all points 3. Exit route should be unobstructed and free of clutter at all times 4. Exit signs should be posted indicating the nearest emergency exit 5. Must be unlock from the inside and must open outward

List some stress-related symptoms of individual during resistance phase

1. Fatigue 2. irritability 3. lethargy 4. lapses in concentration

Fuel source consists of

1. Flammable material- easy catches on fire ( gasoline, propane) 2. Combustible material- any material that will burn ( paper, wood)

List four levels of anxiety from mild to severe

1. Mild anxiety 2. Moderate anxiety 3. Severe anxiety 4. Panic

List some situations that tend to cause the most serious psychological effects

1. Occur without warning 2. pose a serious threat to personal safety or have unknown health effects 3. Have an uncertain duration ( such as serious floods of major rivers) 4. Result from malicious intent or human error 5. Have symbolic significance (9/11 attack)

Examples of common ignition sources are

1. Open flames( burning candle) 2. Faulty electrical equipment 3. Hot surfaces( examination light) 4. Sparks

List some examples of common fuel sources that can be found in the medical office

1. Patient charts 2. Furniture 3. Drapes and rugs 4. Office equipment 5. Laboratory testing chemicals

What kind of information should be included in the evacuation procedures?

1. The conditions that would require evacuation of the area 2. The chain of command showing who can authorize an evacuation 3. The actions employees should take during the evacuation ( shutting the window, turning off equipment) 4. Procedures of evacuating individuals with disabilities or who do not speak English

Name six elements that must be included in the EAP

1. The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies 2. Emergency evacuation plan 3. Procedures for employees who remain behind to perform critical operation before evacuation 4. Procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation 5. Procedures for employees performing rescue or medial duties 6. The names or job titles of individuals who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan

List two primary function of fire extinguisher

1. To control or extinguish a small fire that has just started 2. To protect an evacuation route that a fire may block with smoke or burning material

What are the purposes of fire protection?

1. To prevent the spread of fire from one area to another of a building 2. Allow safe exit of building occupants 3. Prevent or reduce the amount of properties damages

What MA can do to help patient with severe anxiety?

1. Touch patient to gain his/her attention 2. Giving direction with a calm and reassuring voice 3. Helping patient to breath deeply to reduce anxiety and direct person to safe area

Moderate anxiety

Attention is restricted to a particular task or problem rather than entire situation ( called selective inattention). Still able to think fairly clearly but focuses on only one thing at a time

Natural disaster effects

May cause injuries and loss of life as well as significant damage to environment Occur with or without warning The impact may be random

What is the best measures available to extinguish the fire in its early stage?

Sprinkler Systems- activated by the build-up heat in the fire area

Exhaustion phase

The stress continues and the body's resources to combat it are depleted. The immune system is compromised and the individual becomes more susceptible to a variety of illnesses

Panic

severe state of psychologic stress. Person unable to focus or cope. May focus on small details which are totally blown out of proportion

Stress

the body's response to threat or change when a disaster or serious emergency occurs

The type of evacuation ordered during an emergency depends on_________________________

the type of emergency situation ex: evacuate if large fire, tornado no evacuate

Fire-resistant cabinet

to store records or computer files

List 3 methods are typically used to report emergency and/or alert employees to the presence of an emergency

1. Dialing 911: this is a common and preferred method for reporting emergencies 2. Dialing an internal emergency phone number 3. Activation of a manual alarm system

Name 3 components in the emergency evacuation plan for medical office

1. Emergency evacuation procedures 2. Type of evacuation 3. Exit routes

Man-made disaster

An event that causes serious damage through intentional or negligent human actions or failure of a man-made system ex: bomb explosion, chemical spills, terrorism

Evacuation procedures

Clear step-by-step procedures for the rapid, efficient, and safe removal of individuals from a building during an emergency

Symptoms of severe anxiety

Crying, confused speech, dry mouth, sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, muscle tremors, increase muscle tension, elevated blood pressure, hyperventilation.

EAP

Emergency Action Plan

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

Evacuation floor plan

Exit routes should be clearly identified and marked on an evacuation floor plan

2 categories of disaster

Natural Man-made

Steps involved in operating a fire extinguisher - PASS

P: Pull out the pin A: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire S: Squeeze the handle S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire

What happens in the brain during the resistance phase?

The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol. Cortisol increases the blood sugar level to sustain energy because more energy is required to maintain the stage of resistance than the normal stage The body constantly remain "on-guard" and be able to carry normal function

mild anxiety

The body functions well in this state. The person may feel a little nervous

Fire protection

The implementation of safety measures to reduce unwanted effects of fire

Emergency evacuation coordinator

The one who is assigned to take charge of and manage the evacuation procedures during emergency

Emergency preparedness

The process of making plans to prevent, respond, and recover from an emergency situation

What are some responsibilities of employee who stay behind during evacuation?

To briefly operating fire extinguishers or shut down electrical equipment or special equipment that could be damage Any employee remaining behind must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation or task and evacuate to safe area

List some body changes during alarm phase when epinephrine is released from adrenal medulla

1. dilation of the pupils 2. increase in heart rate 3. increase in respiration and perspiration 4. increase in the blood pressure 5. muscle tense in preparation for action

What are 3 purpose of fire prevention plan

1. reduces the probability that a workplace fire will ignite and spread 2. Helps prevent injuries and death- keep the workplace safe 3. Helps to prevent financial losses to the medical office

Intervention for moderate anxiety

A calm manner is reassuring. Acknowledge that the patient appear anxious. Focus on one thing at a time. Encourage the patient to take slow deep breaths

Natural disaster

A catastrophic event that is caused by nature or the natural processes of the Earth Ex: earthquake, tornado, hurricane

Exit routes

A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety

Smoke detector

A device that detects and automatically provides a warning of the presence of smoke

Fire alarms

A device that warns building occupants of the presence of a fire A loud noise and flashing light are broadcasted to alert all occupants and provide enough time to safely evacuate the building

Anxiety

A feeling of worry or uneasiness, often trigger by an event that is perceived as having an uncertain outcome

Evacuation

A plan systematic retreat of people to safety in an emergency situation

Fire extinguishers

A portable device that discharges an agent designed to extinguish a fire

Disaster

A sudden adverse event that can cause damage or loss of life

Define EAP

A written document that describes the actions that employees should take to ensure their safety if a fire or other emergency situation occurs

Fire prevention plan

A written document that identifies flammable and combustible material stored in the workplace and ways to control workplace fire hazards

How can you classified the type of fire?

According to the type of fuel that is burning

Severe anxiety

Painful level of anxiety produces loss of abstract thinking and consumes almost all of a person's energy. The person cannot notice what is going on even if it is pointed out

Symptoms of moderate anxiety

Sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, muscle tension, and possible stomach pain, frequent urination and/or diarrhea

Recovery phase

The stress is removed and the body returns to a normal state of function

Resistance phase

The stress remains and the body adapts but remains " on-guard". Stress-related symptoms may be present

what is the purpose of accounting for building occupants

To help determine if someone is still in the building in need of rescue

What is the purpose of EAP

To prevent facilities, injuries, and property damage during an emergency situation EAP must be in writing and be kept in the workplace that available for everyone to review

What is the purpose of fire door?

To prevent the spread of fire from one area of a building to another Assist in the safe escape of occupant Reduce property damage

What is the purpose for develop emergency preparedness plan in the medical office?

To protect employees from fire and other emergencies and to prevent property loss

Alarm Phase

fight-or-flight response Body sense a stressor and releases epinephrine from the adrenal medulla to trigger the "flight-or-fight" response This stage dont last very long, few seconds

Symptoms of panic

incoherent speech, ineffective communication, sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, muscle tremors, increased muscle tension, elevated BP

Intervention for severe anxiety

quiet area for the person to regain control, a calm maner is reassuring. encourage patient to take slow deep breaths. seek guidance from physician if the patient is breathing faster than 22-24 breath/min

GAS

the body's reaction to stress as a three-part general adaptation syndrome