How the Disaster Recovery Plan Will Improve Access to Community Services

How the Disaster Recovery Plan Will Improve Access to Community Services

Access to community services such as healthcare and quality education is another deep-seated problem in American society. This DRP seeks to address contributory factors to poor access to care by employing the principles of social justice. As evident in the Vila case scenario, the Vila City Regional Hospital is nearing its bed capacity, with inadequacy in hospital resources becoming apparent. Equitable service delivery in the wake of factors contributing to poor access to care can be best addressed by leveraging community resources to ensure communities receive the required care. This plan seeks to mobilize care groups such as the American Red Cross to bridge apparent care gaps, distribute care to impacted communities, and provide funding and the workforce required to implement disaster recovery responses effectively.

How Health Policy Impacts Disaster Recovery Efforts

Central to disaster recovery responses are the healthcare interventions targeted at preserving community lives. Healthcare providers such as nurses play a crucial role in this regard. Concerted efforts of caregivers and other stakeholders involved in disaster recovery can ensure that more lives are saved. Public health policies that expand access to care, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, can be beneficial in addressing factors that exacerbate the impacts of disasters on communities. Policies that expand the use of meaningful healthcare technologies, such as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, may also be helpful in this regard. These technologies can be used to bridge gaps in care during disasters, thereby enhancing access to care.

How Governmental Policy Impacts Disaster Recovery Efforts

Health and government policies exist that guide disaster recovery responses, safeguard safety, and improve the quality of health of communities impacted by these disasters. The Staford Act is an example of a legislative provision that finds considerable utility in disaster recovery processes. This legislation saw the conception and implementation of the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, which coordinates rescue and recovery responses and helps disaster victims. Second, the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) is another legislation that oversees disaster management and recovery responses. FEMA lobbies federal support to states and local authorities to ensure efficient disaster management. Third, the Disaster Recovery Responses Act (DRRA) is another policy provision that is valuable in this regard. These policies have an immense impact on disaster recovery. They leverage valuable community resources in these interventions, provide the necessary funds required, and supplement the workforce (Garrett, 2019).

Evidence-Based Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers

The diversity of professionals and stakeholders involved in disaster management and recovery warrants the utility of best practices in communication to ensure seamless operationalization. As evident in the Vila case scenario, language barriers accustomed to the presence of diverse groups in the vast North Dakota area may be apparent and may hinder the effective coordination of recovery responses. Accordingly, this plan seeks to educate all responders on best practices to overcome communication barriers. These include but are not limited to active listening, communicating one thing at a time, and maintaining clarity. A translator may also be available to facilitate cross-language communications. As van Vuuren et al. (2021) report, bridging communication gaps by utilizing best practices in communication may fasten the disaster management and recovery process and ensure many community lives are saved.

Evidence-Based Strategies to Enhance Interprofessional Collaboration

Interdisciplinary collaboration is integral in disaster management and recovery processes. This approach ensures the coordination of recovery interventions, aligns the goals of each professional, and helps each professional understand their responsibilities. Best practices to enhance effective interdisciplinary collaborations include effective communication, information sharing, respect, role definition, role interdependence, and cooperation (Shakhman et al., 2020). All stakeholders in the Vila Healthcare system need to know these strategies. In this regard, an orientation program will be organized to educate all stakeholders on these strategies. During this program, these stakeholders will be notified of the operational framework intended to be used in the DRP, its goals, and the management chain of command to ensure seamless coordination of all recovery responses.

Summary

In conclusion, a disaster recovery plan remains a safety safeguard measure and an interve