Which scenario would be considered a potential internal disaster in a healthcare setting?

In the context of a healthcare setting, a potential internal disaster refers to an event that occurs within the facility that compromises its ability to function normally and could potentially endanger patient safety or disrupt operations. A hospital fire is a clear example of an internal disaster because it occurs within the hospital infrastructure, posing immediate risks to patients and staff. It can lead to evacuations, loss of resources, and can create hazardous conditions that require an organized response to ensure safety and continuity of care.

Other scenarios, while serious and needing effective management, do not strictly fit the definition of an internal disaster in the same way. For example, a flood generally pertains to an external environmental event impacting the facility from the outside. A power outage, although it can disrupt operations significantly, is often manageable through backup systems and does not inherently jeopardize physical safety in the immediate way a fire does. A cybersecurity breach, while it can compromise data security and affect operations, does not typically create an immediate physical threat to those inside the healthcare institution.

Thus, a hospital fire is classified as a potential internal disaster due to its direct and immediate threat to the hospital's internal environment and patient care operations.