Emergency and Disaster for Practices
Starting a Clinic Disaster Plan
Creating a veterinary clinic disaster team is important. Depending on the size of your clinic you may be able to form a self-sufficient team. If you work in a smaller clinic, contacting other local clinics to pool resources may be an option. During a disaster the local veterinarians are often sought after for advice or help even if they do not want to be involved. It is important that veterinarians and technicians in a community talk about and create a local disaster plan before the disaster occurs. Once you have a local veterinary disaster team, you can try to locate clinics outside of your area which you can refer clients in case of a disaster. You must consider that your veterinary clinic may not be able to function. Veterinary clinics are in constant competition with each other. However, during a disaster it is important that veterinary clinics rely on each other for assistance. Being able to share equipment and even personnel can be a huge benefit to multiple clinics during a disaster.
Before the Disaster or Emergency
Types of Disaster/Emergency
Plans
Operations
Is your business set up for every day success?
Identify roles and responsibilities for your employees in terms of operations.
Do you have a calendar for supplies, controlled substances, equipment maintenance
Employee Identification Cards (for access at restricted times)
Detection
Regular equipment maintenance
Equipment Training
Disposal
Protective Clothing
Inventories
On Site Supplies
Off Site Supplies
Equipment
Communications
System that does not rely on landlines, cell phones or pagers
Utilities
Alternate power sources
Generator fuel source
Continued refrigeration
Current and comprehensive policies
Training
During a Disaster
After a Disaster