|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
NewsSamaritan Health Services radio system now implementedSamaritan Health Services (SHS) recently completed another milestone towards disaster preparedness and response with the installation of a radio system that allows all five hospitals to communicate during a disaster. Recognizing that communication failure is the most cited issue during disaster, SHS applied for and received Homeland Security and Department of Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) grants to install a system-wide radio network. The network provides a backup communication means if phone, cell phone, and computer networks fail. With each hospital maintaining emergency power through its own generators, the radios will remain operational during power outages or other communication line failures. The radios have been placed in each emergency department and hospital command posts and department personnel have received training. These locations ensure life saving communication will always be available when it is needed. SHS employees receive certification in Emergency Management They are the first students to receive certification in this new class that was partially created by Dr. Larry Mullins, CEO of Samaritan Health Services. As a team, they took classes every term on topics from how to deal with all hazards to responding to biological weapons. After certification they, along with Michael Baumberger, went to Alabama for a federal training provided by FEMA. This four day certification program was directed to health care leaders and professionals in the emergency management setting. Nationally, there were about 46 people who attended from various states and health care agencies. “Taking this course as a team really showed me how far emergency preparedness within our system has come,” Vanderford said. “It was obvious Samaritan is a leader nationally in emergency management planning. On breaks the instructor would suggest the class go ‘talk to the group from Oregon; they are extremely knowledgeable and have already done so much’. That was a real honor.” The group is now on an LBCC advisory board to offer suggestions and improve the course content for future classes. Disaster preparedness book now available The booklet features instructions, checklists, and guides to aid employees with family disaster preparation. It also provides families with an opportunity to discuss, plan, and develop emergency plans and kits that provide them to be more prepared for a disaster that could strike at any time and any place. To get a copy of the booklet email emergmgmt@samhealth.org. PlanningAlternative Care SitesWhat happens when the hospital is full, yet there are more injured or ill people coming to the emergency department every minute? How do we keep the hospital running without being overwhelmed and losing control and effectiveness? Samaritan is working with local county health departments to develop alternative care sites. These are sites within the community that can be used for triaging, treating, or caring for victims/patients of an emergency. The purpose of an alternate care site is to treat people as close to their home community as possible, so the local hospital is used for those that need the highest level of care. If everyone were to come to the hospital for treatment, no matter how large or small the injury, the hospital would become grid-locked and could not treat everyone. Instead, facilities throughout the community are being identified that can provide space for treatment, beds, HVAC, and other items necessary for medical care. Some sites will triage or provid minor care treatment only, and other sites will hold patients for a few days while they are under medical care. Those requiring advanced medical care will be admitted to the hospital until they are recovered. This plan requires community leadership, medical practitioners and other clinically certified people and facility owners to become involved in preparing the community for disaster medical response. With cooperation and planning, this integrated effort will insure everyone receives medical treatment when and where they need it. Pandemic flu planning is under waySamaritan and county health departments are working together to develop a community preparedness and response plan for the pandemic flu. Through education outreach and awareness our goal is to teach you on how to protect yourself and prepare your family. Scientists have identified the pandemic flu virus and are monitoring the bird population to track locations of infected birds. They are encouraging communities to prepare for the virus’s arrival. Samaritan has combined information and research from case studies, other infectious disease event literature, and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and developed a plan to respond to a large scale event. The plan integrates shortage of bed space, increased need for ventilators, shortage of staff, and potential medication shortfalls into our existing incident command system response structure. As the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advisory level changes, department managers and hospital leadership meet to discuss implications and update the plan. At key level changes, portions of the plan are implemented and Samaritan begins preparation. Learn more: |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 back to top |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
