How to Prepare for Healthcare Emergencies in a Solo Practice

When you run a solo healthcare practice, you are not only responsible for your patients’ well-being—but also for the continuity of your business during unforeseen events. From natural disasters to pandemics and sudden staff shortages, having an emergency preparedness plan is not optional—it’s essential.

In this article, we’ll explore how to build a proactive and reliable emergency plan tailored to the realities of solo healthcare providers.

1. Understand the Risks Relevant to Your Practice

The first step in solo practice emergency preparedness is to assess the types of emergencies most likely to impact your operations. These could include:

• Natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes)

• Power or internet outages

• Medical emergencies involving a patient or yourself

• Cybersecurity threats or data breaches

• Public health emergencies (e.g., pandemics)

Once you identify your top risks, you can begin outlining a plan to mitigate and respond to them.

2. Create a Healthcare Contingency Plan

Your healthcare contingency planning strategy should ensure that your practice can continue functioning, or safely pause and resume, depending on the scenario. Your plan should cover:

• Alternative communication channels with patients

• Data access and backup protocols

• Temporary relocation options if your location becomes unusable

• Emergency staffing or referral partners

• Checklists for continuity of care during disruptions

CompanyOn offers cloud-based solutions that enable you to access records and schedules securely from anywhere—making business continuity easier to manage.

3. Establish Clear Medical Emergency Protocols

Having medical emergency protocols in place can help you react quickly and appropriately during high-stress situations. Consider the following:

• Keep first aid kits, defibrillators, and oxygen supplies easily accessible

• Ensure emergency contact lists are updated regularly

• Train yourself and any support staff in basic life support (BLS) or CPR

• Have a script or written protocol for how to contact emergency services, notify family members, and document the incident

4. Train and Inform Your Patients

Yes, even your patients play a role in emergency preparedness. Inform them during their onboarding or intake process about:

• How you will notify them of cancellations or closures

• What digital tools (like CompanyOn’s patient portal) they can use to reschedule or reach you

• How they can access their health records if needed

Building trust and transparency is part of what makes a patient-centered healthcare culture, even in times of crisis.

5. Secure Your Digital Infrastructure

In the digital era, safeguarding patient data is non-negotiable. Protect your systems by:

• Using encrypted, cloud-based platforms like CompanyOn for patient information

• Regularly backing up data

• Implementing multi-factor authentication

• Having a cybersecurity incident response plan

This will help avoid critical disruptions that can stem from data breaches or technical failures.

6. Review and Test Your Emergency Plan Regularly

Emergency plans aren’t meant to sit in a drawer. Make sure to:

• Review your plan at least once a year

• Conduct mock drills or tabletop exercises

• Update contact lists and emergency supply inventories

Proactive review ensures that your emergency preparedness evolves alongside your practice.

Conclusion

As a solo practitioner, your ability to respond to emergencies reflects not only your professionalism but your commitment to patient safety and continuity of care. By embracing a structured approach to solo practice emergency preparedness, you can protect your business, your patients, and your peace of mind.

With CompanyOn, you can count on digital tools designed to support healthcare providers during both daily operations and unexpected challenges.

👉 Explore how CompanyOn helps you stay prepared and resilient