Course Details

Business Continuity in Healthcare Institutions Training Course

Introduction

In the critical realm of healthcare, the ability to maintain continuous patient care, protect sensitive health information, and ensure the availability of essential medical services is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative. Healthcare institutions face a unique array of threats, from infectious disease outbreaks and mass casualty incidents to cyberattacks on patient records and disruptions to critical medical supply chains, any of which can directly imperil lives and erode public trust. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management in Healthcare Institutions" training course is meticulously designed to equip healthcare administrators, clinical leaders, IT professionals, and emergency preparedness staff with the specialized knowledge and practical frameworks required to develop, implement, and maintain robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) programs tailored to the complex and high-stakes environment of healthcare.

This comprehensive program delves into the specific regulatory mandates (e.g., patient safety regulations, HIPAA, local Kenyan health guidelines), clinical interdependencies, and ethical considerations inherent in healthcare BCM. Participants will gain in-depth understanding of how to conduct a healthcare-specific Business Impact Analysis, prioritize critical clinical and support functions, design resilient patient care delivery models, and establish effective internal and external communication protocols. By the end of this specialized training, you will be proficient in establishing a resilient BCM framework that not only ensures the continuity of vital healthcare services but also safeguards patient safety, upholds ethical standards, and maintains community confidence in the face of any unforeseen challenge.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management in Healthcare Institutions" training course is essential for a broad range of professionals working within hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, and other healthcare organizations who are responsible for patient care, operations, and resilience. This includes:

• Hospital Administrators and Executive Leadership: Accountable for overall institutional resilience and patient safety.
• Medical Directors and Clinical Department Heads: Responsible for continuity of specific clinical services.
• Emergency Preparedness Coordinators/Managers: Specifically focused on healthcare emergency and disaster planning.
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Managers: Integrating BCM with quality of care initiatives.
• IT Directors and Managers: Responsible for the resilience and recovery of electronic health records (EHR) and medical systems.
• Risk Management Professionals: Within healthcare settings, focusing on operational, clinical, and compliance risks.
• Infection Prevention and Control Specialists: Contributing to pandemic and infectious disease outbreak planning.
• Supply Chain and Procurement Managers: Ensuring continuity of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment.
• Human Resources Professionals: Managing workforce availability and well-being during healthcare emergencies.
• Compliance Officers and Legal Counsel: Ensuring adherence to healthcare-specific regulations (e.g., KMPDB, Pharmacy & Poisons Board guidelines).

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Business Continuity Management in Healthcare Institutions" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the unique threats, ethical considerations, and regulatory landscape for BCM in healthcare.
• Interpret and apply specific healthcare BCM guidelines from national and international health authorities.
• Conduct a healthcare-specific Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for critical clinical and administrative functions.
• Define appropriate Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for patient care and health data.
• Develop robust continuity strategies tailored for patient care delivery, medical IT systems, and essential support services.
• Design effective communication protocols for patients, staff, and external stakeholders during healthcare emergencies.
• Understand the critical importance of medical supply chain continuity and strategies to mitigate disruptions.
• Plan and execute realistic exercises and drills to validate the effectiveness of healthcare continuity plans.
• Ensure the BCM program aligns with patient safety principles and relevant healthcare quality standards.
• Contribute significantly to enhancing patient safety, maintaining operational integrity, and upholding public trust in healthcare services.

10 Course Modules

Module 1: Unique Context of BCM in Healthcare

• Defining BCM in healthcare: ethical imperative, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Understanding unique threats: pandemics, mass casualty incidents, medical equipment failure, data breaches.
• The impact of disruptions on patient outcomes, public health, and institutional reputation.
• Overview of key healthcare-specific BCM drivers and guidelines (e.g., Joint Commission, local Ministry of Health directives).
• Challenges unique to healthcare BCM: clinical interdependencies, highly specialized staff, sensitive data.

Module 2: Governance, Policy & Clinical Risk Management

• Establishing a robust BCM governance framework tailored for healthcare institutions.
• Developing BCM policies that align with patient safety principles and clinical best practices.
• Integrating BCM with clinical risk management, patient safety programs, and quality assurance.
• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for BCM from clinical to administrative staff.
• The role of leadership and clinical buy-in in BCM success.

Module 3: Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for Clinical & Support Functions

• Conducting a BIA focused on critical clinical services (e.g., emergency care, surgery, ICU, pharmacy).
• Identifying essential administrative and support functions (e.g., patient registration, billing, lab services).
• Determining clinical-specific Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for patient care and data.
• Assessing the human impact of disruption on patients, staff, and the community.
• Mapping interdependencies between clinical departments, IT systems, and external services.

Module 4: Continuity Strategies for Patient Care Delivery

• Plans for diverting or evacuating patients safely during emergencies.
• Strategies for maintaining essential clinical services with reduced resources (e.g., staff, equipment).
• Establishing alternative care sites or surge capacity plans.
• Contingency plans for diagnostic services, operating rooms, and specialized treatments.
• Ethical considerations in resource allocation during mass casualty events.

Module 5: IT Disaster Recovery (DR) for Healthcare Systems

• Ensuring resilience of Electronic Health Records (EHR/EMR) systems and patient data.
• Strategies for critical medical devices and imaging systems.
• Data backup, replication, and restoration for protected health information (PHI).
• Cybersecurity measures and recovery from ransomware attacks targeting healthcare IT.
• Compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA, local data protection laws).

Module 6: Medical Supply Chain & Pharmacy Continuity

• Identifying critical medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment.
• Strategies for diversifying suppliers and establishing emergency stock levels.
• Developing plans for managing shortages of essential medicines or medical devices.
• Ensuring continuity of pharmaceutical dispensing and cold chain management.
• Liaising with government health agencies for national stockpiles and distribution.

Module 7: Human Resources & Workforce Continuity in Healthcare

• Strategies for managing staff availability during pandemics, mass casualty incidents, or severe weather.
• Cross-training and credentialing of staff for alternative roles.
• Employee well-being and psychological support during and after crises.
• Policies for absenteeism, quarantine, and return-to-work.
• Contingency plans for specialized medical personnel (e.g., intensivists, emergency physicians).

Module 8: Emergency Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Developing a comprehensive communication plan for patients, families, staff, and emergency services.
• Crafting clear, compassionate, and culturally sensitive messages during health crises.
• Establishing protocols for communicating with public health authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Managing media inquiries and social media during sensitive healthcare emergencies.
• Community engagement strategies for public health advisories and support.

Module 9: Testing, Exercising & Validation in Healthcare BCM

• Designing and conducting various types of exercises (tabletop, drills, full-scale) for healthcare scenarios.
• Involving clinical, administrative, and support staff in exercises.
• Evaluating exercise performance against patient safety metrics and recovery objectives.
• Documenting lessons learned, identifying gaps, and implementing corrective actions.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements for regular testing and drills.

Module 10: BCM Maintenance, Audit & Continuous Improvement in Healthcare

• Establishing a continuous review and update cycle for healthcare BCM plans.
• Integrating BCM updates with changes in clinical protocols, technology, and regulations.
• Conducting internal and external audits of healthcare BCM programs against standards and regulations.
• Addressing audit findings and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience among all healthcare personnel.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

• Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com