Five Step Policy Paper
Hurricanes are usually large, swirling storms which produce wind that can be damaging to structures and trees due to the speed that comes with it. Hurricanes pose a significant threat not only to the economy of a country but also to the life of the population in that country. Although hurricanes are viewed negatively by the society, they can be restorative over time, creating more flourishing communities. Hurricane Irma is among the most significant storms that have ever been recorded in the Atlantic Ocean basin. The hurricane had a great humanitarian impact as well as financial impact due to its extent. It left a widespread ravaging and human tragedy which affected several counties in the United States. The people significantly affected by the hurricane were from Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. The significance of hurricane Irma is at the center of analysis, particularly the criteria that could have been used to resolve the problem, determinants of the solved problem, affected stakeholders, solutions to the problem as well as the government policies that could be a suitable remedy for the problem.
Step 1
Hurricane Irma is said to have been the largest and most catastrophic hurricane to occur in the Atlantic which was determined by the sustained winds during that time. It was recorded as the first category five hurricanes to affect the Leeward Island and the second largest hurricane to occur globally. Although hurricanes are known to be devastating, the results of the hurricane are the ones that lead to morbidity and death of individuals. In the case of hurricane Irma, the reported death cases were not only as a result of storm surges but as a result of electric failure. The hurricane knocked out air conditioning which controlled temperatures in a Nursing home, and this led to the death of 14 Florida citizens. This is because the hurricane has led to power outage due to tree fall on a transformer that powered the cooling system and the air conditioning is supported by electricity. Although some nursing homes had generators, the generators were not connected to the air conditioning which left the lives of most victims of the hurricane in danger till their death.
Most patients suffered sizzling heat, and due to knocked out air conditioning, they ended up dying. Since every nursing home is expected to take care of patients, they must take all the necessary steps to ensure patients are safe. The nursing home was reported to lack evacuation plan that led to the death of some patients since some of the deaths were as a result of inhaling carbon monoxide. Another issue stated was the failure to transfer patients to nearby hospitals where they could get treated. This is because nursing homes are expected to maintain temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees and according to the reported case; the nursing home had a temperature above 110. These issues were vital as they led to understanding the failures of some nursing homes were they are expected to have a backup for electricity and a good evacuation plan.
Step 2
In resolving the problem, the nursing home was expected to have transferred patients to other facilities that had electricity. It was not clear how long the power outage could take and due to this, the nursing home could have transferred their patients to a hospital that had a good supply of electricity so that they could be saved from increased temperatures. The nursing home could have followed the state and federal regulations that required patients to be evacuated if it gets too hot inside. Another solution to the problem identified includes installing a functional evacuation plan where patients could exit the nursing home when there was leakage of carbon monoxide. With such a strategy, such a case can be prevented since patients can move out in case of danger.
To determine whether the problem was solved, the number of deaths should reduce day by day instead of increasing as reported in the case of the nursing home. The sick patients could heal instead of dying if they were shifted to better hospitals with all facilities. More to this, patients should portray their knowledge regarding how to react in case of an emergency. The nursing homes should meet the recommended regulations so that the problem can be solved completely.
The stakeholders who were affected by the problem included doctors and the nursing home management who were expected to take care of the patients. This is because they did not play a part in securing the health of those patients where they could seek better facilities to move their patients to. They could also train patients on measures to take in case of an emergency so that they never fall victims of leaking carbon monoxide that resulted in the death of many. They could also implement an evacuation plan to be used in cases of emergency.
Step 3
The policy options that the government might take to solve the issue include the Nursing Home Reform Act and the Older American Act. According to the reported death cases, it is clear that the affected were between 70 and 99 years. The Nursing Home Reform Act could be used as it protects the rights of the senior citizens concerning care provided and their stay while in the nursing home. The issue that led to the deaths included lack of evacuation plan by the nursing hospital and implementing Reform Act can force the nursing home to ensure implementation of an evacuation plan as a strategy to protect these patients while in the hospital. The reform could also advocate for moving patients to other healthcare facilities in case of a single failure in the nursing home. This is according to state and federal regulations that require patients to be offered with the best living conditions while in the hospital.
Older American Act allows elder Americans to access free legal services as a way to protect their well-being. This could warrant the victims of the hurricane to access medical care in other facilities besides the nursing home to secure their life. The policy gives elderly patients’ rights to better healthcare irrespective of their financial ability. The policy could force the medical professionals within the nursing home to identify any issue within the facility and provide adequate care which could prevent the reported deaths. The issue of carbon monoxide seemed to be ignored at the nursing hospital hence; it resulted in deaths of several patients.
Step 4
The policy action I would recommend is the Nursing Home Reform Act as it covers all the needs of the elder society regarding the care provided and the condition of living while in the nursing home. The hurricane patients who were taken to the nursing home required better treatment and care which could warrant longer life. The rights of these patients are also covered in this Act which also recommends treatment from another facility if the nursing home is not in a position to meet the health needs of a patient. It advocates for better living conditions including an evacuation plan that can be used by these patients in case of an emergency. It could also ensure that carbon monoxide emissions are reported on time to minimize death cases hence the best policy for addressing the above issue. The elders should also be trained how to react in case of an emergency to avoid death cases.
Step 5
To determine the effectiveness of the solution, I would measure the morbidity rate among patients visiting a nursing home. This can be the determinant because morbidity determines the quality of care given to the elderly while in the nursing home. The level of knowledge of these patients on matters relating to an emergency can also determine the effectiveness of the solution. Total implementation of functional evacuation plan will guide the seriousness of the nursing home in devising the solution hence a determinant too.