Protecting Most Vulnerable: Emergency Preparedness for Obstetric and Gynecologic Patients in Large-Scale Catastrophic Events

Large-scale catastrophic events, whether natural or human-induced, underscore the importance of having emergency preparedness plans that cater to the specific needs of obstetric and gynecologic patients. Pregnant, postpartum, and lactating individuals, along with their newborns, are particularly vulnerable during disasters and related environmental conditions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) highlights the pivotal role of obstetrician-gynecologists and healthcare professionals in developing and executing comprehensive emergency plans to ensure the safety and medical requirements of these patients during crises.

Importance of Patient Education and Preparedness

The recommendations and conclusions put forth by ACOG emphasize the necessity to inform patients about local risks and encourage the development of emergency preparedness plans, including evacuation strategies, vital supplies, and access to important documentation. Patients are advised to adhere to public safety directives, create a plan for obstetric care, and be aware of maternal warning signs, especially in the context of disaster scenarios.

Impact of Disasters on Healthcare and Specialized Plans

Disasters encompass a wide range of events like natural calamities, infectious disease outbreaks, and human-induced incidents that can result in substantial harm. Such catastrophic events can significantly impact the healthcare system and disrupt the care provided to pregnant and gynecologic patients, emphasizing the imperative need for specialized emergency plans tailored to their unique needs.

Continuity of Care and Disaster Preparedness

Maintaining continuity of care for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum individuals is crucial to mitigate adverse health outcomes during disasters. Providers should anticipate potential effects of disasters, ensure access to medical records, educate patients on obstetric warning signs, and facilitate access to obstetric care facilities. Promoting lactation as a feeding strategy for newborns during interruptions in formula or safe water supply, as well as supporting relactation for those unable to breastfeed, are vital components of disaster preparedness in obstetric care.

Key Considerations in Healthcare Emergency Planning

Furthermore, ensuring contraceptive method continuation, addressing mental health and emotional well-being concerns, and providing gender-inclusive care are key considerations for healthcare professionals in emergency preparedness planning. Obstetrician-gynecologists play a pivotal role in offering guidance, safety messages, and tailored care to address the obstetric and gynecologic needs of patients during disasters and other public health emergencies, ultimately aiming to maintain good health outcomes for pregnant patients, newborns, and infants.

Key Points

- Obstetric and gynecologic patients, including pregnant, postpartum, and lactating individuals, are particularly vulnerable during large-scale catastrophic events, necessitating specialized emergency preparedness plans tailored to their unique needs.

- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stresses the critical role of healthcare professionals, especially obstetrician-gynecologists, in developing and implementing comprehensive emergency plans to ensure the safety and medical requirements of these patients during crises.

- Patient education on local risks, creation of emergency preparedness plans including evacuation strategies and vital supplies, adherence to public safety directives, and awareness of maternal warning signs are essential components to enhance preparedness for obstetric and gynecologic patients during disasters.

- Disasters, whether natural calamities, infectious disease outbreaks, or human-induced incidents, can disrupt healthcare systems, necessitating the need for specialized emergency plans to address the unique needs of pregnant and gynecologic patients.

- Continuity of care for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum individuals is crucial during disasters to mitigate adverse health outcomes. This includes ensuring access to medical records, educating patients on obstetric warning signs, facilitating access to obstetric care facilities, and promoting lactation as a feeding strategy for newborns.

- Healthcare emergency planning should also include provisions for contraceptive method continuation, addressing mental health and emotional well-being concerns, and providing gender-inclusive care to meet the obstetric and gynecologic needs of patients during disasters and public health emergencies.

Reference –

Preparing for Disasters: Addressing Critical Obstetric and Gynecologic Needs of Patients: ACOG Committee Statement No. 15. Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Jan 1;145(1):e58-e62. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005778. PMID: 39666992.