Preparing for the Unexpected: Safeguarding Our People, Our Businesses, and Our Communities
Natural disasters like tornadoes and floods are becoming more frequent, yet the demand for healthcare remains constant. Hospitals, physician offices, and pharmacies require uninterrupted supplies and medications, regardless of circumstances.
September: National Preparedness Month
As National Preparedness Month reminds us, emergencies can occur at any time. At Cardinal Health, we prioritize a resilient supply chain, enabling us to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from disruptions. Through thorough planning and regular safety drills, we ensure that the flow of critical medical supplies and services continues seamlessly during crises.
Safeguarding Our People
Our highest priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees. We implement proactive safety protocols, provide financial support, and utilize real-time communication tools.
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Workplace Safety: Our Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) team leads emergency response plan development and continuous training to help employees recognize and respond to risks.
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Employee Support: Through our Employee Assistance Fund, we offer financial relief and resources to those affected by disasters, managed independently for confidentiality.
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Emergency Communications: Our “Alert by Cardinal Health” system provides rapid notifications during emergencies, ensuring team members are informed and safe.
Protecting Our Businesses and Customers
To consistently serve our customers during crises, we embed business continuity and risk mitigation strategies throughout our operations.
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Proactive Monitoring: Our 24/7 Security Operations and Intelligence Center assesses potential threats and communicates necessary actions to crisis management teams.
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Resilient Logistics: We utilize a network of distribution centers and advanced routing technologies to adjust shipments as needed.
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Data and Technology Security: Our IT teams protect our digital infrastructure to ensure critical platforms remain functional during high-demand periods.
Supporting Our Communities’ Recovery
Cardinal Health mobilizes resources and partners with disaster relief organizations to aid community recovery.
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Product Donations: We donate medical and pharmaceutical products to organizations like Americares and Heart to Heart International, which respond rapidly to emergencies.
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Supporting Independent Pharmacies: The Cardinal Health Foundation backs the NCPA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund, assisting independent pharmacies in overcoming recovery challenges after disasters.
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Volunteerism: Our employees engage in community support through organizing volunteer drives for food banks and shelters.
Editor’s Note: Take Personal Action
National Preparedness Month is also a call to individual action. We encourage everyone to:
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Build an Emergency Kit: Prepare at least 72 hours’ worth of essentials like water, food, flashlights, and medications.
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Create an Action Plan: Review emergency routes and identify meeting points at home and work.
By taking these proactive steps, we can collectively enhance our preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies.
