Jeanine is a new medical assistant at a local physician's office. Within the first week of employment, Jeanine has been taught all of the office's emergency preparedness plans

Jeanine begins to think about how her family would handle an emergency at home. Discuss the importance of having emergency preparedness plans at home and what Jeanine can do be more prepared for an emergency in her home.
What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER: Medical assistants should take the initiative to create an emergency preparedness plan for their own homes and families. Jeanine should discuss the importance of emergency preparedness with family members. Jeanine should identify safety zones and meeting places where family members should meet if they are to become separated during a disaster. Jeanine might post a written plan on the refrigerator or in her children's bedrooms. It is also a good idea to ensure family members are CPR certified and have a basic knowledge of first aid. Also, creating emergency supply kits for home, work, and vehicles is very important. Emergency supply kits should include more than just food or water. Some other items Jeanine should include in an emergency kit might be batteries, flashlights, radio, first aid kit, extra clothes, and blankets.