[A total program of emergency measures in a hospital setting]

A seven-step approach to structure emergency planning has helped Montfort Hospital in Ottawa to promote prevention and achieve a higher degree of preparedness. The seven steps include: using the mission statement to form goals and objectives; creating an organizational structure to delegate responsibilities; upgrading systems to comply with existing codes and standards and to include their costs in annual budgets; compiling main, secondary and condensed emergency plan manuals for different levels of staff; planning activities to stimulate staff interest and promote the program; training staff and evaluating the process. A collective approach to emergency planning and a prepared facility should result from the implementation of a comprehensive emergency measures program.