Weekly Risk Tip: Prepare for Heat-Related Emergencies<o:p></o:p>

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Every week, the Risk Tip brings you quick, actionable steps you can take to improve safety and reduce risk right away.<o:p></o:p>

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This month, we are focusing on addressing environmental determinants of health, specifically heat-related emergencies and the effects of climate change.<o:p></o:p>

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This Week's Tips for Preparing for Heat-related Emergencies <o:p></o:p>

• Provide organization-wide education on heat-related emergencies, even in geographic locations that haven't typically experienced these types of events. (Refer to this heat education tool, which can be adapted for healthcare settings.)<o:p></o:p>
• Verify that the organization's emergency preparedness and response plans address extreme heat events (scroll to "heat")<o:p></o:p>
• Ensure providers are aware of medications and medical conditions, including mental health and cardiovascular disorders, that increase the risk of heat-related complications.<o:p></o:p>
• Provide resources for clinicians about heat​-related illness, including​ how to conduct health checks during extreme heat events.​<o:p></o:p>

View more from the Clinical Risk Management Program in Get Safe! A Brief Case for Safety: Preparing for Health Impacts from Extreme Heat, Get Safe! Addressing the Mental Health Effects of Climate Change, Get Safe! Environmental Determinants of Health: What Health Centers Need to Know, ​​and in Resource Collection: Emergency Preparedness and Response.<o:p></o:p>

DISCLAIMER<o:p></o:p>

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Information provided by ECRI is not intended to be viewed as required by ECRI or the Health Resources and Services Administration, nor should these materials be viewed as reflecting the legal standard of care. Further, these materials should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure. Practice by providers varies, for reasons including the needs of the individual patient and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice. Best practice recommendations can change over time. All organizations should consult with their clinical staff and other experts for specific guidance and with their legal counsel, as circumstances warrant.<o:p></o:p>