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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader will be able to:
Recognize the incident command system response model and the role that physical therapy has in this process during a crisis.
Identify ways that a crisis may affect the operations of physical therapy and determine ways to minimize the impact of a crisis.
Distinguish methods to expand services during the midst of a crisis.
Understand the importance of supporting the impact that working through a crisis has on mental health.
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DEFINING A CRISIS: NATURAL DISASTER (EG, HURRICANE, TORNADO, WILDFIRES) AND PANDEMIC (EG, CORONAVIRUS [COVID-19])
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The emergency response of physical therapy during a crisis is something we as a profession do not often think about. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) may play a role in the emergency department of a hospital or as a first responder on the athletic field in response to an athletic injury. However, what happens when a natural disaster strikes a region or a pandemic is experienced by a nation? The professional roles and responsibilities are tested, patient care access may be altered, and creativity in the delivery of care is needed.
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Crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. A crisis situation may encompass a series of events of a situation or disease that may take a turn for the worse. Many events across the United States and across the globe have qualified as regional, national, or global crises, such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, and pandemics. In the health care environment, there can be many different types of crisis. This can include global events such as pandemics or natural disasters or more targeted events, such as information technology (IT) outages or a pipe bursting in a clinic. A crisis impacts all individuals, but there are additional considerations needed when considering vulnerable populations such as pediatric patients, individuals with disabilities, and those with special health care needs. Children are more vulnerable during disasters due to several factors, such as the following:
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Structural differences are present in the anatomy of children; for example, children inhale more air than adults and therefore may absorb airborne materials more easily than adults.
When receiving medical treatment, there is a need for specialized equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals that may be extremely limited during a disaster. This could lead to greater morbidity and mortality of this population based on the lack of resources.
Based on their age, children may not be capable of communicating their symptoms or their needs during a disaster.
Children depend on others for almost all needs, including safety. If a child does not have an advocate, not only does this impact their medical needs but it also affects their safety and can lead to serious safety issues, such as child abduction.
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Both national and more local emergencies may impact physical therapy in similar ...