Assignment: Case Study for Berwick Hospital System

Assume that you are the newly appointed Chief Continuity Manager for the Berwick Hospital System. Outlining the major risks associated with maintaining continuity of operations in the event of an environmental catastrophe, and making an outline of the basics of a continuity plan to cope such a scenario.

To: the Chief Operating Officer
Subject: Risks Associated with Environmental Catastrophe

Berwick Hospital System has identified some of the same vulnerabilities with hospitals in Louisiana that experienced Katrina and Rita catastrophes. In order to minimize the damage we might have in the event of environmental catastrophes, I summarized in this memo some potential risks of …show more content…

Also, external human capital resources must be identified as well. These external human capitals may be in a form of public organization such as community emergency management office, mayor or community administrator’s office, public transportation, fire department, police department, national weather service and public works department. Closer relationship with these public agencies may help Berwick Hospital System to prepare for emergency ahead of time, receive most updated information regarding the situation, and receive first hand support from each organization. External support from these organizations may also help the hospital to control the level of tension among patients and avoid chaos. Other external human capital may be in a form of businesses including telephone companies, electric utilities, insurance carriers, and other neighboring businesses (FEMA, page 10, 13).

Berwick Hospital System is a large hospital with 673 hospital beds, nursing home, hospice, and doctor’s office available for outpatients. The hospital needs to have a sophisticated record keeping system and database for their normal operation, and which becomes especially important during any emergency events. In times of emergency, a set of emergency operating records must be kept for references. Emergency operating records include operating plans, facility architectural and floor plans, delegation of authority, staffing assignments and