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Best Practices

5 Steps to an Effective Disaster Communications Plan

Creating disaster communications plans can be complex, especially in healthcare when so much is at stake. Disasters and disruptions can happen at any time. You must be prepared in the event your systems go down. Key to that response is having a disaster communication tool, not dependent on the network or power of the location.

1 min read
5-Steps-to-an-Effective-Disaster-Communications-Plan-Infographic|5-steps-to-effective-disaster-communication-plan-infographic|5-Steps-to-an-Effective-Disaster-Communications-Plan-Infographic

Creating disaster communications plans can be complex, especially in healthcare when so much is at stake. Disasters and disruptions can happen at any time. You must be prepared in the event your systems go down. Key to that response is having a disaster communication tool, not dependent on the network or power of the location.

The only logical device that fits this description is a personal smartphone. By having a BYOD policy in place that allows secure messaging applications, you’ll empower your staff to keep communication lines open.While disaster communication plans have many factors, we’ve simplified some best practices into five steps. Navigate your way through disaster communications planning with this helpful advice.

5-steps-to-effective-disaster-communication-plan-infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

The five steps include establishing BYOD policies for secure messaging, identifying communication tools independent of facility networks, training staff on emergency protocols, testing systems regularly, and maintaining updated contact databases. These steps ensure continuous communication during system failures or disasters.

Smartphones are ideal because they operate independently of hospital networks and power systems that may fail during disasters. They support secure messaging applications and are personal devices staff always carry, ensuring reliable communication channels remain open.

Organizations should deploy HIPAA-compliant secure messaging applications that encrypt communications and separate personal data from work communications. Staff training on proper usage and clear policies defining acceptable use are essential for maintaining compliance.

Healthcare facilities should consider satellite phones, two-way radios, landline backup systems, and cloud-based communication platforms with offline capabilities. Multiple redundant systems ensure communication continuity if primary methods fail during extended outages.

Disaster communication plans should be tested quarterly through drills and updated annually or after any significant infrastructure changes. Regular testing identifies system vulnerabilities and ensures staff familiarity with emergency protocols when disasters occur.

Ben Henson

Written by

Ben Henson

Healthcare IT Specialist

Healthcare IT specialist with expertise in HIPAA compliance and secure messaging.

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