Week 13: Walking Forward

One of the most important lessons I learned early in my healthcare administration career was the importance of continuing to move forward even in a time of crisis. Even when times are tough and a crisis has to be addressed and everything seems like it is temporarily halted and frozen in space and time, operations must keep moving forward. Saying, "Okay, everyone stop where you are, so we can deal with this problem," just isn't an option.

The thought of moving forward in crisis has been on my mind the past few weeks as the situation in Nebraska unfolds. Emergency needs have arisen for livestock, for livelihoods, for schools, for water, for safety, for health. Individuals, communities and civic organizations are responding in reaction mode to get the state of Nebraska up and running again. Still, for those individuals involved, each day has to be a step forward. They still must go about the daily business of their lives and even the daily business of business.

We sometimes forget that in the chaos of crisis there still must exist the routine of the mundane. The things that make our lives easier...that make our lives seem simpler...that make our lives better. In emergency mode, the chaos can overwhelm and consume those involved until there is no ability to deal with the everyday tasks and the disaster becomes all-encompassing to those involved.

Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison

In the crisis event early in my career, the situation required that an organization develop two different teams. The first team dealt with the emergent situation. The second team dealt with the day to day operations of the organization. Both teams were equally important. The crisis had to be addressed, but the organization also had to move forward.

The ultimate goal for any emergent situation is to get the organization, the community, the state to be back to its normal routine...so they can take back over the daily operations. This is the challenge we walk forward with today. Roadways have to be repaired, supplies have to be delivered, farms must be functional, and communities must be quieted. No matter how slow they are moving, each day is a step forward.

As we are walking forward, frustration, anxiety, and fatigue can sometimes set in. Reinforcements are then needed. Those involved may benefit from a short break so they can come back feeling renewed and rejuvenated. Caring, compassion, and understanding are also necessary as we look on to those suffering and struggling. We must use patience, and understand that it will take time to get them back to where they want to be.