Database of Health Workforce Innovations

Staff member workloads increased to compensate for the openings in all departments, and wages were adjusted for all jobs in order to compete for the limited number of employees in the region.

Although it is important to emphasize the need for essential staff to have evacuation plans for their families, you must realize that many times essential personnel will not report to duty without their families. Therefore, I recommend providing childcare, elder care for aging dependents, and pet care. Supply your staff with a “provisions sheet” including pillows, blankets, toiletries, medications, and other essentials needed to sustain themselves for 7 to 10 days. People need downtime and a place to rest. There are more people seeking rest than sleep. Leadership should assist staff and dependents with sleeping arrangements and schedules.

Staff needs also must incorporate personal hygiene. Your disaster preparedness plan must incorporate considerations as to where staff will bathe after days of being on duty, and provisions for washing and drying their clothes. The facility must stock adequate personal hygiene items for staff as well as patients and dependents. The staff will need emotional and spiritual support before, during, and after a disaster. I also recommend limiting duty time to 4 to 6 hours.