Disasters are increasingly becoming popular across the globe, mainly due to environmental changes and other risks such as terrorism. Disasters always have devastating effects not only on affected individuals but also the entire population and economy (Achora & Kamanyire, 2016). Thus, the implementation of the disaster management plan is now inevitable. The disaster management has four main phases that include planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. Nurses play a critical role in all phases of disaster management.
Disaster planning is one of the most critical phases of disaster management. One of the major roles of nurses in the planning stage is to provide useful information such as the challenges that patients and health professionals encounter in the case of a disaster (Achora & Kamanyire, 2016). At the same time, nurses ensure that the public is educated about the disaster management plan, including how to remain safe if a disaster occurs. Also, nursing education is an essential role in the preparedness phase of disaster management. Nurses are expected to provide useful education to patients and the public how to make it safely during a disaster, including helping other victims (Achora & Kamanyire, 2016). Public education is critical in disaster management, and nurses can help in educating people. In the response phase, nurses are expected to play a role of providing care services such as first aid and administering medication to the victims. Also, nurses provide emotional support to affected individuals. Finally, the recovery phases, nurses always care for survivors while at the same time providing counseling and behavioral modification services.
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Evaluation of State's Plan for Preparedness and Disaster Management
Texas is one of the states in the USA with the highest rate of disasters, mainly due to extreme weather events (Eschner, 2019). Consequently, the state has developed an all-hazard approach to disaster management, allowing it to deal with any disaster that occurs. The state's plan for disaster preparedness and management has made it one of the safest places to live despite extreme weather events. Texas' disaster management has five main phases that include planning, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. The preparedness phase is mainly covered in the prevention state of the plan.
Also, plan for preparedness and disaster management is based on the local needs, primarily concerning extreme weather conditions. Specifically, the state government is determined to ensure that extreme weather conditions do not result in a significant impact on the local people (Eschner, 2019). Thus, the plan is geared towards addressing local needs. Besides, the plan incorporates evidence of thought that goes beyond the written reports. For instance, the plan envisages the use of modern technologies to reduce communication challenges during a disaster. Nonetheless, there is no evidence of a record-keeping system for critical information, even though it relies on a triage tag system to help in patient identification. Besides, Texas' all-hazard management plan has back up plan, enabling it to address various disasters effectively.
Analysis of Plan to Address Mass Causality Situations (MCS)
Mass casualty situations (MCS) can occur in any state, including Texas that is prone to mass shootings. The major plan for addressing MCSs, therefore, involves the use of a triage system to ensure that patients are treated based on the severity of their medical conditions (Strommen et al., 2015). Besides, the use of triage tag with patient's information helps in MCSs. Also, to ensure effective use of resources during MCSs, low-acuity patients are treated on the site or in the nearby facilities.
References
Achora, S., & Kamanyire, J. K. (2016). Disaster Preparedness: Need for inclusion in undergraduate nursing education. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal , 16 (1).
Strommen, J. J., Waterman, S. M., Mitchell, C. A., & Grogan, B. F. (2015). 2014 Fort Hood, Texas, mass casualty incident: reviews and perspectives. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine , 8 (3), 298-303.
Eschner, K. (2015, July 15). The most dangerous places to live in America that are prone to natural disasters. CNBC . Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/10/billion- dollar-natural-disasters-rising-these-states-better-prepare.html
