Pre-Disaster Considerations for Pediatricians in Practice

Disaster Preparedness: This information supplements the suggestions in the AAP Preparedness Checklist for Pediatric Practices. Developing a written personal and professional disaster plan is the ideal way to be prepared in advance for times when your practice might be disrupted. Additional resources are available on the AAP Disasters and Children website and in the AAP policy, Ensuring the Health of Children in Disasters.

When a Disaster is Pending: Make sure cellular telephones are fully-charged and that you have your phone charger with you. Write/type all important contacts from your phone onto paper, in case there is an electrical outage and access to phone recharging is not available. Consider placing the paper-based important contacts in a plastic zip-lock bag to help preserve these in the event of water-related disasters. Get gasoline for cars, obtain cash and food/water for at least 3 days. Review your family’s disaster plan so that everyone knows who to contact and where to meet. Organize the office to store supplies appropriately and minimize risk to equipment. Review the office communications plan with staff. Update telephone and web-based or other automatic messaging as appropriate. Bookmark or write down URLs for important resources. Take pictures or a quick video of the office (inside and out) before the disaster. Share with all staff where the nearest disaster relief center
is so that they can have access to telephone landlines and other alternative communication devices as needed.