Question

What is the impact of a lack of availability or access to needed cancer medication during disasters and emergency management? What can be done to mitigate these concerns? What is the role of the nurse within a multidisciplinary team during times of disaster response for this population?

Answer 1

Disasters are natural or man made hazards. Disasters affect all social functions. In case of disaster hospitals must mobilize their resources to treat mass injuries. But in case of cancer care it is difficult. Cancer is one of the most common cause of death worldwide

Lack of treatment of cancer patients creates many problems during and after disasters. So protection of patient’s case has an important role. For giving care to the cancer patients their treatment records are necessary. But it is not possible during disasters. At that time electronic databases of medical information can help to meet these gap.

So in the Preparedness phase of disaster the nurses should educate cancer patients about their disease, their treatment. Also to ensure an effective response, disaster preparedness should be coordinated with all stakeholders. The roles and responsibility of every health care workers should be well defined, and procedures should be clearly stated.

Nurses must be aware of response to disasters and how to take care of cancer patients during and after disasters. In addition, it should be developing a guidance for delivering routine care for cancer patients in disastrous situations.

Immediately after disasters, communication between providers, providers and their patients, and provider agencies and governmental agencies is verymuch necessary for effective care.