In an emergency, some towns can expect to be isolated for days or weeks, depending on road and other infrastructure damage. The emergency management coordinator should ensure that a generous amount of critical supplies is stored onsite in the event of an emergency. Further, the emergency management coordinator should gather and/or purchase appropriate resources and equipment to build an emergency kit that can be used by practice staff in the event of an emergency.
Box 3 outlines some of the items to include in the emergency kit.
Box 3. Emergency kit supplies
Disinfectant
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Battery-powered radio (including spare batteries)
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Detergent
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Torches (including spare batteries)
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Additional first aid kits
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Fully charged mobile phone
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Plastic and garbage bags
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Fire extinguisher with instructions
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Bottles of clean water
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Additional doctor’s bags with extra medications
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Non-perishable food items
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Small supply of office stationery
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Medical certificate pad
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Prescription pad
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Equipment and supplies
General practices hold specialised equipment and medical supplies, such as diagnostic equipment, pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Disasters can have devastating effects on the practice’s infrastructure, including all of its contents.
As part of the emergency planning process, it is advisable to create and maintain a hard copy and electronic log of all medical equipment and supplies in the practice. In the event that some or all of the contents are destroyed, practice staff can quickly assess what equipment and supplies have been lost or damaged and what requires replacing.