3.10.3- Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA)
Instructions
The Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) is a way to focus attention on those hazards that are most likely to have an impact on the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the surrounding community. The list of hazards includes possible events or threats that may occur within the community or VA property. Events that impact the community many times are brought into the facility. It is intended that a HVA be seen as a evolving document and be reviewed at least annually within the JCAHO Environment of Care Emergency Management annual report.
Doing the Analysis
There are four (4) categories that are used to help place each hazard into perspective. These categories are Probability, Human, Property, and Operational Impact on the facility. Each of these categories is based on a point system, ranging from 0 to 3. For each hazard, a point estimate of 0 (NA) to 3 (high) is given for each of the four (4) categories.
· Probability that any event may occur in the future. VAMC staff can gain insight on this by setting up a meeting with the local emergency management agency.
· Human Impact estimates the severity of impact on patients, visitors, and staff during an adverse event. For example, total electrical failure may result in a total evacuation of the VAMC. Potential injuries or death of patients, staff and visitors is estimated here. All events whether internal or external to our VAMCs, will most likely impact patients in some manner, whether it be an inconvenience, or result in injury or worse.
· Property Impact estimates the potential physical damage and losses to the infrastructure of the VAMC. Such damages and losses can result in costly repairs and delay in services, thereby impacting patient care and operations. Mitigation activities that target utilities, communications, and other building service systems will lessen impact of emergency events.
· Operational Impact estimates the impact of services that are required and expected by our patients, employees, and visitors. Understanding how services inter-relate before an emergency event occurs is needed to conduct a meaningful analysis. Examples of services include: in-patient care, availability of medicines, treatment schedules, fiscal accounting, etc. Operational activities can be preserved by well-planned mitigation strategies.