Assessing the Changes that are Needed to Mitigate the Impact of Natural Disasters

As the intensity and frequency of North Atlantic hurricanes continues to increase due to climate change, it is crucial that changes be implemented in the health care sector to better prepare and protect health care providers and patients. In the last segment of an eight-part interview, MarkAlain Déry, DO, talks to DocWire News about what systemic changes are needed–on both a macro and micro level–to ensure optimal medical care is rendered amid worsening seasonal hurricanes.

DWN: What changes need to be made on both a macro and micro level to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on HCPs and patients in the future?

MD: I think to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on health care providers and patients in the future, several changes need to be made both at the macro and micro level. For example, at the macro level, changes including strengthening health care infrastructure [are needed]. I think we need to improve structural resilience of health care facilities to withstand disasters. We need to develop redundant power systems, including micro grids and renewable energy resources and sources, and enhance water and sanitation systems to maintain functionality during these disasters.

I think it’s important for us to consider diversifying and strengthening supply chains like what we’re seeing right now. We need to establish multiple manufacturing sites for critical medical supplies. We need to create stockpiles of essential medications and equipment. We need to develop flexible distribution networks to adapt to disastrous scenarios. I think we need to improve disaster preparedness and response planning.

We need to develop comprehensive coordinated disaster response plans at a national and regional level. We need to conduct regular drills and simulations to test and refine these plans. We need to establish clear communication channels between health care facilities, emergency services, and government agencies. I think it’s important for us to consider that these 100-year storms are happening two or three times a year now.

We need to address health disparities. We need to invest in improving health care access and quality in vulnerable communities. We need to develop targeted disaster preparedness strategies for at-risk populations. We need to incorporate health equity considerations into disaster response planning. We need to enhance our health care workforce capacity. We need to increase training in disaster medicine and emergency response for health care professionals.

On the micro level, we need facility-level preparedness and to develop and regularly update facility-specific disaster response plans. We need staff and training support, which will provide regular disaster response training for all staff members. We need patient-centered care adaptations, which would create systems for maintaining access to patient medical records during disasters. We need community engagement, which would foster partnerships with local community organizations for disaster planning. We need technological integration, which would implement robust electronic health systems with offline capacities. And we need resource management, which would implement efficient inventory management systems for medical supplies and medication.

In the end, by implementing all of these changes at both the macro and the micro levels, health care systems can become more resilient to natural disasters, ultimately improving outcomes for both health care providers and patients. And I think this approach requires ongoing commitment, investment, and collaboration among health care organizations, government agencies, and communities.