During an emergency, For how many hours must hospitals be ready to stand alone?

The following answer comes from HCPro's book, The Joint Commission Survey Coordinator's Handbook, by Patricia Pejakovich and Steven Bryant:

A well thought-out hazard vulnerability analysis ensures that you have the potential to survive 72 hours and, to that end, should cover the following issues:

• Arrangements with hospitals 90 miles or more beyond your locale to share supplies
• If your hospital is part of a chain, look into corporate supply concerns during a disaster
• Consider combining services
• Keep an emergency list of supplies and post where they're stored
• Designate which personnel can access supply storage areas

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