Business Continuity Planning for the Medical Examiner

Abstract Business continuity planning, while common among commercial firms, is rare among medical examiners. This planning is different from disaster planning because it anticipates a disruption of medical examiner services without a widespread emergency. For example, if the medical examiner’s office burns down, there is likely to be a severe disruption in service, even if there is not an increase in deaths. The purpose of business continuity planning is to enable the office to operate even in the event of fire, electrical interruption, or other local emergency. Planning involves becoming aware of things that might disrupt operations, what effect they would have, and how long business could be disrupted without serious consequences. The planner must then ensure that needed supplies will be available, verify that data are backed up in at least two locations, and arrange for exercising and updating the plan.