The frequency of hurricanes and the subsequent State of Emergency declarations give rise to numerous anxieties among patients, making it vital for pharmacies to have a well-thought-out plan in place and consistently monitor and update it to provide substantial support and alleviate stress during such challenging times.
2024 hurricane season predictions
The NOAA predicts above-normal hurricane activity this year with La Nina and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures being major factors. For the 2024 hurricane season, NOAA predicts 17 to 25 total named storms from June 1st to November 30th, with September being the peak month. Of those, 8 to 13 could become hurricanes, and 4 to 7 of those could be major hurricanes. To make sure your pharmacy is well prepared for this hurricane season, be sure to plan ahead by checking out the 10 tips below.
How to prepare your pharmacy
1. Know your flood risk
Establish if your pharmacy is in a flood zone. There are many sites online dedicated to distinguishing which zone you are in. Knowing your flood risk will greatly help you in preparing.
While high-risk zones require flood insurance, if you are not in a high-risk zone it is important to consider whether or not you want to purchase commercial flood insurance. Commercial flood insurance will protect your business against direct physical losses caused by floods which could be a threat outside required zones.
2. Plan for power outages
Power/internet outages may occur – have a list of phone numbers or important information that you may need access to in case you are not able to look it up. A few items you may need are:
- Phone numbers of your team members
- Local Board of Pharmacy contact information
- Medication wholesaler/supplier phone number
- Phone number to pharmacy peers who can provide coverage in case of staffing shortages
3. Check delivery times
Contact your medication delivery company ahead of time to determine their anticipated delivery schedule before and after the hurricane. This information will help you plan medication availability for your patients
4. Prepare your facility
If you are in a high-risk flood zone, you should consider boarding up your pharmacy and safely storing everything and putting sandbags in front of doors in case of flooding.
Determine what paperwork may need to be placed in waterproof containers/bags. For instance, will the C2’s need to be placed in a waterproof bag then into the safe and inventoried prior to the hurricane or will they be fine just in the safe.
During hurricanes and other natural disasters, it is common for crime rates and looting to increase. Even if the wind isn’t strong enough to do damage, you should still board up your windows to protect from looting just in case. You should also consider locking up certain medications that would be targeted by looters.
5. Conduct inventory
Check if any inventories need to be completed before the hurricane preparedness. For instance, are you due for a C2 inventory? Are you due to inventory of medical supplies? Check off these tasks prior to the hurricane in case you are unable to open back up on time.
6. Update your IVR messaging
Update your IVR messaging with information pertinent to your customers. A few messaging options include:
- Store hours
- Anticipated store closing dates
- State of Emergency information
- Emergency Supply limitations
- First aid items recommended to have at home for the storm
7. Locate employees to cover shifts
Ensure a plan is in place should some team members be unable to make it to work post-hurricane. Before you open back up you’ll want to make sure there are available pharmacists, technicians, or interns to cover those shifts. If your pharmacy decides to stay open, you should also be prepared for a surge in demand and try to make sure the pharmacy is staffed accordingly to meet the needs of your community.
8. Educate your patients
Providing your patients with education on where they can fill their medications if they are evacuating for the hurricane is extremely helpful. For instance, if your pharmacy is closed, they will need a new script from their doctor vs. being able to transfer. Communicating this information with your patients using bulk texting or automated outbound calling is a great way to make sure your communications reach as many patients as possible.
9. Create a post-hurricane delivery plan
Create a medication delivery plan for post-hurricane. If the roads are not clear, will certain locations be unable to receive deliveries? Considering this prior may consist of mapping roads and locations to check the flood zones they are in.
10. Have a plan for fridge & freezer items
Have a plan for all fridge & freezer items. Are these items hooked up to a generator? Will you be able to track the temperature remotely to ensure no changes while the pharmacy is closed for the hurricane? Power outages can occur regularly in the pharmacy, but double-checking your plan and ensuring everything is hooked up properly can be extremely helpful in this situation.
Make improvements to your plan
Gather with your team post hurricane to discuss how your plan went. What was smooth that you should continue for next time? What was a learning experience that can be adjusted so it’s smoother in the future? Then, once you have a plan in place – put it into writing. Having an Emergency Response plan in place for any potential disasters that could strike is imperative to sure your team is always prepared for whatever nature may bring.
Ready to bolster your disaster preparedness plan?
Download our checklist to make sure you have all your bases covered in the case of a hurricane or another unforeseen circumstances that could impact your operations.
