A focus on preparation is the key to meeting any extraordinary situation

Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Its enduring motto, “Be Prepared,” has served them well for many years. The concept of preparation, being ready to address any situation, no matter how demanding it might be, has significant application throughout many endeavors in life, in business and even in health care.
Preparedness was recently brought to the forefront when Northeast Ohio was suddenly the epicenter of heightened concern over the potential for exposure to the Ebola virus. For three weeks in October, hospitals throughout Northeast Ohio were grappling with an all-too-real scenario requiring immediate preparations to treat potential patients who might have been exposed to a highly contagious pathogen that can be stunningly lethal. While detailed process and planning measures for Ebola had already been instituted, the breaking news that a heroic nurse who had treated an Ebola patient in Dallas, Texas, contracted the disease and had been visiting our area sent our planning and response teams into overdrive.
Preparation is key
Health care institutions like Akron General have detailed response protocols for many real-world crisis situations. Many key personnel are trained in the Hospital Incident Command System that outlines detailed instructions, including key positions and roles, important actions and protocols, documentation and more, all aimed at providing structure and direction to leaders involved in crisis response situations. Hospitals stage drills often to ensure their teams are prepared. This intricate response structure and constant training, drills and preparation helped guide our health system’s response to the recent Ebola situation.
Businesses, no matter how large or how small, should consider their crisis response, including planning, preparation and, if necessary, practice as a course of business in the event something adverse happens that affects their enterprise. Whether it is an extended power outage caused by an ice storm, a long disruption in service from a key supplier or a wave of employee call offs due to illnesses brought on by a severe flu season, businesses should prepare and have a plan in place to ensure normal operation under dynamic circumstances.
Handling any crisis
I am extremely proud of Akron General’s response to the recent Ebola situation in our community. The speed, dedication and attention to every detail exhibited by our Incident Command Teams reinforces my confidence in our organization’s ability to handle any crisis. I am also gratified by unified response and leadership shown by municipal, county, state and federal government health agencies, elected officials, first responders and others who all pulled together to address a fluid public health situation with great skill, anticipation and professionalism. Everyone came together quickly and our community was very well served.

A focus on preparation is the key to meeting any extraordinary need that might occur in business. As commerce gets more technologically advanced and interconnected, and as travel brings the world even closer together, leaders of businesses large and small would be well served in giving thought to developing a detailed crisis and response plan.