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Oct. 13th Jefferson County
Nursing Homes Report
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
JEFFERSON COUNTY NURSING HOMES: A SHORT SURVEY
October 1999
The administrators were questioned on the following preparedness items:
- Plan to transport essential workers in case of lack of gasoline or road
blocks. (weather)
- Alternate water source if public water is cut off.
- Alternate power for basic lights,etc. in case of power outage.
In each home, heating is dependent on electricity. Ways to preserve
body warmth would be critical: blankets,etc., or evacuation plan to
heated shelter.
- Source of oxygen for patients dependent on electrically powered
concentraters. Reserve of tank oxygen.
- Reserve of essential medications in event that resupply not possible.
Survey #1 - Results:
Shenandoah Nursing Home
Prospect St.
Charles Town
- #1: (Plan to transport essential workers): A plan is in place
- #2: (Alternate water source): A small storage tank - capacity?
- #3: (Alternate power source): Have generator (generator fuel
supply not given)
- #4: (Source of oxygen): No O2 tanks, would order
- #5: (Reserve of essential medications): One month supply of
drugs kept.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Stock oxygen tanks. Plan for some chemical toilets.
Review plan for emergency transport of workers with employees.
Stock extra paper towels.
Survey #2 - Results:
Canterbury Residence
Rte 45
West of Shepherdstown
- #1: (Plan to transport essential workers):
Most staff are close by; if roads open can be picked up by employees.
- #2: (Alternate water source):
Have some water storage; capacity not given. Could not flush toilets.
- #3: (Alternate power source):Have stand-by generator and fuel tank.
Capacity not given. Have blankets.
- #4: (Source of oxygen):Have reserve oxygen tanks. not allowed to
have more than 4 O2 dependent persons.
- #5: (Reserve of essential medications):Have one month supply of
essential medicines.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Review emergency personnel transport plan with
staff. Increase capacity of potable water storage. Increase generator fuel
capacity. Set up for propane cooking. Prepare to heat one large room with
alternate fuel heat source. Stock additional month's supply of essential
drugs. Stock extra paper towels.
Survey #3 - Results:
Integrated Health Service Residence,
Rte 9
East of Charles Town
- #1: (Plan to transport essential workers):With advance warning
can transport some workers. And have quarters for staff to stay overnight
and resume care after rest.
- #2: (Alternate water source):No alternate water source, except
some drinking water on site. Has contract with tanker to bring water. No
way to flush toilets without city water.
- #3: (Alternate power source):Have generator for basic lights.
Fuel storage capacity not reported. If building not inhabitable, rescue
shelter is next door school building. Have extra blankets.
- #4: (Source of oxygen):Have few oxygen tanks for short period of
power outage.
- #5: (Reserve of essential medications):Has emergency pharmacy
with IV fluids,etc. Patient's drugs: one month's supply.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Prepare plan and review with workers how essential care
would be continued if road access were cut off. Prepare water cistern/tank
to enlarge storage capacity. Review with staff plan for transporting
residents to the school shelter. Encourage residents to obtain a set of
warm clothing to have handy. Stock extra paper towels.
Prepared by A.T. Stewart, M.D.