Hazard Vulnerability Analysis

Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) is a strategic risk assessment test that is conducted in a health facility to identify the hazards that might have an impact to both the facility and the community around the facility (Fares et al., 2014). After the assessment is done, the facility can develop an emergency preparedness plan to ensure its safety from the hazards. This involves the process of mobilization of the necessary resources and equipment that may be of help to counter the vulnerability in case they arise.

Effectiveness and Approach to Developing of HVA

According to Campbell, Trockman, & Walker, (2011), the HVA development can demonstrate its effectiveness especially if it can identify the different vulnerabilities and hazards that are in a particular facility. Its effectiveness can be therefore be identified through how it can identify hazards, how they can impact the health facility and provide a sneak of the different ways the risks can be evaluated. Ones it identifies the different risk factors, the factors are taken into consideration during the formulation of the response strategy. With those considerations, one can conclude that the HVA is effective in its intended purpose. On the other hand, its operations can be termed to be very subjective basing on the fact that the ratings of the hazards are done according to the people’s preference and intuition. Variations of the tools that conduct the risk assessments vary from one hospital to another since there are no specific guidelines on how they are used.

In developing a HVA the most suitable approach that I would use is the factoring method. This method involves the evaluation and identification of the most probable vulnerabilities that are likely to occur. After their identification, this would be followed by the assessment of the impact that they may cause in case they happen. Lastly, I would incorporate the different preparedness measures to take on each in the incident they happen.

HVA for Temple University Hospital

One of the hospitals that are found in the community I live is that of Temple University Hospital which can benefit very much from HVA. Examples of vulnerabilities that are likely to affect this health care facility include electrical failure, cyber-attacks, supply shortage, labor actions and floods. In the instance these risks attack the hospital the normal operations are likely to be affected. This, therefore, means that the development of a HVA would be appropriate to address the hazards.

Conclusions

According to the analysis done by the HVA to the hospital, it is notable that the percentage at which the facility is exposed to risks and hazards is high. This is because of the preparedness strategies that the hospital has been very low. With this information, the management of the hospital should pass this to the university management to add more resources to the hospital to become more prepared to face these hazards.

References

Campbell, P., Trockman, S. J., & Walker, A. R. (2011). Strengthening Hazard Vulnerability         Analysis: Results Of Recent Research In Maine. Public Health Reports, 126(2), 290–293.

Fares, S., Femino, M., Sayah, A., Weiner, D. L., Yim, E. S., Douthwright, S., & … Ciottone, G.   (2014). Health care system hazard vulnerability analysis: an assessment of all public          hospitals in Abu Dhabi. Disasters, 38(2), 420-433. doi:10.1111/disa.12047