Question 1

Due to the unpredictability of emergencies, it is important for individual and the state to prepare for disasters and emergencies. Though it is the duty of the state to ensure proper health and urgent attention incase of disasters, this responsibility cannot be entirely left for the government. Different non governmental organizations, communities and national efforts should also contribute towards ensuring preparedness. This has proved to be very important in many ways. For instance, involving the community will reduce the helplessness incase of an emergency and over reliance on the state for rescuing. According to Lundy, and Janes, (2009), “… become aware with local disaster plans and emergency evacuation procedures” (Pg 597). This is important because the community members are more involved and aware of the necessary steps to take to ensure minimal loss incase of a disaster. Similarly, the community will show support for the leaders willing to give long term solutions that will not only cater for unexpected events but also prevent their occurrence.

Organizations and other national efforts are also very important and should be integrated in formulating strategies for disaster and emergency preparedness. This is because the non governmental bodies fund the government and communities in formulating these strategies. They can also provide civil education on the measures that can be taken. Lundy, and Janes (2009) argue that “… visit schools to help prepare children for assuming the lifetime responsibility of being prepared for disasters in the community” (Pg 597). This shows the influence the private sector may have in assisting the state to take care of disaster. Besides this, they provide the necessary finances and immediate care for the victims. Research has shown that disasters end up more tragic where the damage is not taken care of in due time. Therefore, the contribution of immediate attention and preventive measures has assisted correct the situation.

Question 2

The health care system in the United States of America is supportive to the attempts to provide proper healthcare. It supports efforts brought forth to manage disasters and limit their damages due to inefficient machinery. Greenwald, (2010) argues/states that “The diversity of healthcare organizations described here reflects the complexity of the healthcare system itself…” (Pg 135). It is clear that the American health system is assorted and incorporates many aspects in its description. This is beneficial since effective machinery can be acquired to ensure proper care and attention is given to areas likely to face disasters. It is also capable of handling emergency cases conveniently. This is important because the effectiveness of an organization is a determinant of the benefits a people is likely to receive (Greenwald, 2010). The more detailed the health delivery system is, the more the chances of proper disaster and emergency management strategies.

Conversely, the healthcare system enhances proper communication among the medics and people in the medical industry in enhancing efficient delivery. According to Ray, (2006) proper communication reduces panic among the public incase of a disaster. This applies also in cases of terrorism which reduces the capability of the attackers to influence the public. The system equally offers sufficient training for its workforce to equip them with relevant skills of handling emergency cases. For instance, diverse qualifications such as counseling should be demanded of nurses in order to diversify their qualifications when there is an urgent need of its application. This applies mostly in disasters where the necessary workforce is not readily available. Therefore, the American healthcare system really promotes the effectiveness of healthcare and incorporation of many contributions to prepare for disasters. It effectively reduces damages caused by unpreparedness.

Question 3

Health administrators play a significant and influential role in implementing strategies to ensure disaster preparedness. Any decisions made are practical with the assistance of the necessary workforce. They are therefore required to support the long term efforts formulated for the subject matter. Some of these long term decisions include reduction of ignorance and creating awareness among the people. According to Sudmeier-Rieux, (2006), “Because poverty, vulnerability and environmental conditions are intertwined, efforts to reduce disaster risk will only be effective in the long term if they are integrated and institutionalized” (Pg 24). It is worth noting that identification of the problems is key in finding the solution. As an administrator of health, it is necessary to be aware of the problems at hand.

Besides the knowledge of the problem, description of the solutions should be looked into. These should be in relation to the foreseen disasters following the happening in the state. As an administrator of health, assistance in discovery of the problem is necessary. Similarly, willingness to help in investment of the necessary test tools for taking precautionary measures (Sudmeier-Rieux, 2006) should be exhibited as a sign of support of the future focused efforts. As discussed earlier, factors such as the environment, poverty and susceptibility determine the readiness of a society in terms of disasters. For instance, an environmentally polluted area has higher chances of suffering effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes. Therefore, need to caution people in this subject is important. The work of the administrator will be to educate the people on how to preserve their environment to reduce disasters. Support of the measures is a sign of the commitment of the health workforce to ensure safety to the country and efficiency in knowledge of disasters.

References:

Greenwald, H. P. (2010). Health care in the United States: Organization, management, and policy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Lundy, K. S., & Janes, S. (2010). Community Health Nursing: Caring For the Public’s Health. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Ray, P. K. (2006). Disaster preparedness against accidents or terrorist attack: Chemical/bilolgical/radiological. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Limited, Publishers.

Sudmeier-Rieux, K., Masundire, H., Rizvi, A., & Rietbergen, S. (2006). Ecosystems, livelihoods and disasters: An integrated approach to disaster risk management. Ecosystem management series, 4. Gland IUCN. The World conservation union.