It Wasn't Raining When Noah Built the Ark

Abstract

SUMMARY In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, there is an awareness of the critical role of health professionals in disaster response. Hospitals in particular are one important component of the public health system. How prepared are hospitals and medical librarians for a biochemical terrorist event? What does the Internet offer health professionals for readiness for disasters? All hospitals are required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) to have an emergency management plan, and states' licensure regulations often require a hospital's disaster plan to be comprehensive and filed with a state agency. Thinking the unthinkable, it is prudent for hospitals to strengthen and update their plans for a biochemical terrorist event. This article provides core disaster preparedness information resources updated since September 11 and available on the Internet to assist a hospital. Likewise, medical librarians need to be prepared to respond to the emergency information needs of patrons during such an event and the requests that are often unique, urgent, and sustained. Here, too, a library “plan” and Internet resources are good starting points. When the disaster strikes, it's too late to start searching for the authoritative resources; they need to be ready and at your fingertips. Using a “Checklist for Medical Librarians: An Algorithm for Disaster Information Preparedness,” a medical librarian can assure readiness and offer resources and services that are coordinated and instantaneous.