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Work the press into your plan

Emergency Management Alert, July 16, 2007

During a federal Webcast, the CDC stressed the importance of incorporating the media into your emergency planning. Joint Commission standard EC 4.10 refers to managing media relations during an emergency, so hospitals need to consider this angle.

Wise planning in this regard takes place long before an emergency occurs, said Leah Bucco-White, BA, public information officer for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, who spoke during the Webcast.

Hospital representatives who deal with the press should distill their comprehensive emergency planning documents into brief, need-to-know summaries for reporters and distribute them beforehand, Bucco-White said. "It's a simple snapshot [that the] media can use in stories and share with the public."

"Giving reporters tools to pinpoint crucial pandemic flu information quickly not only is appreciated, but it also helps get accurate information out to the public in a timely matter . . . and helps solidify our role as a go-to source for pandemic flu information," said Bucco-White.

After developing such materials, emergency planning committees should ask hospital spokespeople to reach out to local reporters before an outbreak occurs.

Subscribers to HCPro's newsletter Briefings on Hospital Safety received this article in their July edition. For more information, or to subscribe, visit www.hcmarketplace.com.

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