Emergency management: expanding the disaster plan.

A comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP) is key to minimizing the disruption of patient care and services during and after a natural or man-made disaster. The home health nurse can play a key role in enhancing, expanding, and evaluating the effectiveness of the organization's disaster plan. The components of a CEMP and lessons learned from actual implementation of disaster plans in home care are addressed. The disasters and emergencies of the past few years, such as threats of terrorism, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes, have validated the need to extend the emergency preparedness plan to a more comprehensive approach to emergency management. Communities, healthcare providers, and individuals/families all have been urged to take a more comprehensive look at their readiness for these types of events. Home healthcare organizations, including home health agencies, hospice providers, infusion providers, and medical equipment companies, can take a fresh and comprehensive look at their emergency management plan.