Provider Education on Emergency Preparedness for Patients

OVERVIEW

This course equips DC clinicians with practical, patient-centered guidance to help individuals—especially older adults, people with disabilities, medically fragile patients, and those with access and functional needs (AFN)—prepare for emergencies in realistic and accessible ways. The course supports clinicians in delivering actionable preparedness counseling aligned with DC Health and District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) recommendations, including helping patients create personal emergency plans, maintain access to medications and medical devices during disruptions, understand DC-specific alert systems, and prepare based on individual needs.​

Target Audience

This course is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health professionals practicing across the continuum of care. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Develop individualized emergency preparedness plans with patients that align with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) best practices, DC Health guidance, and District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) recommendations.​
  2. Identify and assess individuals with higher emergency risk, including older adults, people with disabilities, medically dependent patients, and individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) in Washington, DC.​
  3. Explain DC-specific emergency actions, such as when to shelter in place, how to use the District’s AlertDC notification system, and general evacuation awareness to help patients make informed decisions. ​
  4. Support continuity of care by assisting patients in planning for medication refills, backup power for medical devices, and maintaining essential medical documentation during emergencies. ​
  5. Address weather-related public health concerns, including extreme heat and cold events, by helping patients understand risks and prepare appropriate protective strategies, especially for populations with access and functional needs.​
  6. Collaborate across the interprofessional healthcare team—including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, care coordinators, and social workers—to provide consistent, coordinated emergency preparedness guidance to patients and families. ​
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Nursing Hours
  • 1.00 IACET CEUs
Course opens: 
02/16/2026
Course expires: 
02/26/2029

Olivia SaoBento, MPH, EMT

Olivia SaoBento is an Emergency Preparedness Trainer at The George Washington University, specializing in emergency management and community resilience. In addition to her preparedness work. Olivia has been an EMT for 10 years and has worked both pre-hospital and in Emergency Departments. With a strong focus on building collaborative, action-oriented safety cultures, Olivia leads initiatives that enhance institutional readiness and response. She believes in fostering stronger, more connected communities through continuous improvement in emergency planning.

Clinical Advisors

Andrew L. Garrett, MD, MPH​ 

Dr. Garrett is the Academic Section Chief and Medical Director for Emergency Health Operations at The George Washington (GW) University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. His specialty areas are Pediatrics as well as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Health Emergency Response, and Disaster Medicine.

Janice Blanchard, MD, MPH​ 

Dr. Blanchard is a Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and School of Public Health. Dr. Blanchard is Chief of the Health Policy Section in the George Washington Department of Emergency Medicine. 

Relevant Financial Relationships

Olivia SaoBento, Andrew Garrett, Jancie Blanchard, and the course planners have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Anti-discrimination Policy

Olivia SaoBento, the advisor, and course planners have agreed to our anti-discrimination policy that prohibits the inclusion of discriminatory language, graphics, or references on the basis of race, gender identity, age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion.

PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

Innovation Horizons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Innovation Horizons designates this enduring material for:

ACPE Pharmacist: (1.0 Contact Hour) UAN:  

ACPE Pharmacy Technician: (1.0 Contact Hour) UAN:  

PHYSICIANS – AMA CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Innovation Horizons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

NURSES – ANCC CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Innovation Horizons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hours. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation materials

JOINT ACCREDITATION

In support of improving patient care, Innovation Horizons is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

IPCE CREDITS

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Nursing Hours
  • 1.00 IACET CEUs
Please login or register to take this course.

Required Hardware/Software

High-Speed Internet Connection

Adobe Reader for PDF file download

Browser:

  • This educational activity has been tested in the latest versions of Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome browsers on Windows or Macintosh computers. 
  • The Safari, Firefox, or Chrome browsers are recommended for best results. 
  • The Internet Explorer browser is not recommended as it is no longer supported by Microsoft.