- Supplementary Plan
A supplementary plan is a plan that adds to the specific responses set out in a health care facility's emergency plan. It provides additional detail for a particular area, hazard or type of emergency. A supplementary plan may contain information about the level of patient dependency in an area, the hazards common to that area, or the specific actions needed for a particular hazard or emergency.
Supplementary plans are described in Australian Standard AS 4083 for health care facilities.
AS 4083 recommends a hazard analysis for each health care facility. The results depend on the facility's function, location and surroundings. The analysis identifies which hazards need specific planning, and some of those will justify a supplementary plan attached to the emergency plan. Examples given in the standard include:
- natural hazards such as bushfire, flood, severe weather, cyclones (including storm surge) and earthquake;
- hazardous substance incidents;
- transport accidents; and
- industrial accidents.
Responsibilities
- Emergency coordinator: identifies the areas that need supplementary plans and prepares them with the relevant emergency officers and specialists. The emergency coordinator also reviews and updates the emergency and supplementary plans at least every 12 months, in a review that includes meetings of all emergency officers.
- Emergency officers: make sure staff working in their area or unit understand the emergency plan and any supplementary plans that apply. During an emergency, the emergency officer initiates the supplementary plans relevant to their area, including evacuation plans, and delegates tasks as needed.