141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

287650
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy: Lesson learned from front-line healthcare workers in New York


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 2:47 p.m. - 3:04 p.m.

Mark D. Catlin, BS BA, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Washington, DC
Steve Schrag, BA, Health and Safety Program, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Waterbury, CT
     
Health workers are essential during natural disaster such as Hurricane Sandy. Studies have shown that healthcare response plans need to promote confidence of frontline health care workers in their defined role, emphasize the value of their role and address their family concerns. This poster describes the emergency preparedness, response and recovery experiences and lessons-learned of a group of 75 front-line healthcare workers at acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities in the New York City area before, during and after Hurricane Sandy. The members of this group were all experienced health and safety peer trainers through their Local Union, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199 SEIU UHE). Their Local Union participates in an NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) through the national SEIU Education & Support Fund. Based on the experience of these front-line healthcare workers, recommendations are made for improving emergency response plans for healthcare employers.

Learning Areas:

Occupational health and safety
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
List two recommendations for improving healthcare emergency response plans.

Keyword(s): Emergency, Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in emergency preparedness for almost 10 years and have worked in occupational health and safety for more than 30 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3373.0: Emergency Response and Cleanup Efforts Following Hurricane Sandy