Scaling ER Response to Emergency Contamination Events
Aiming
to handle 250 patients on a normal day and up to 2,500 a day during a disaster
q
To
handle the approximately 1 million people in the St. Louis metropolitan area,
this will take 400 hospitals
q
Notice
the separation by gender that results in the separations of family units,
inducing mental anxiety.
q
Notice
the male child with his mother, putting him in what would normally be called an
abusive situation if he has to see his mother naked.
q
Notice
that all persons are ambulatory. Will
the disabled be ignored?
q
Notice
that all persons are uninjured. Where
is the blood and guts?
q
Notice
that only government workers wear protective suits.
q
If
clothing is contaminated, will a million pieces of clothing be required?
q
Note
the lack of alarm and panic. Where are
the police to keep order?
Strategically
place power and utility outlets in hallways and public spaces to accommodate
non-contagious patient care needs during catastrophic events
q
Warehousing
is another term and repeats history.
q
Note
the lack of family facilities and bathrooms.
Any room or section
of the hospital is contained and isolated from contiguous rooms at all
times. Each room has positive or
negative air flow to allow flexible isolation strategies.
q Where does the air come from? A common supply?
q Where does the air go? To the outside? People are getting Legionnaire’s Disease by walking close to care facilities.
q Decontamination products are now available that do not require washing away in a floor drain in which molds or bacteria may live and varmints may enter.
q If this is an isolation room, why are the health care workers not appropriately dressed?
q Are the electrical outlets and other outlets also sealed?
Reference:
1. Nancy Ferris, Technology Correspondent, Homeland Protection Professional, September 2005, pp 22-24, “The ER of the future takes shape in D.C.”
2. Justin Rood, Government Executive, November 1, 2005, pp 38-45, “Medical Catastrophe.”
Ask these questions of your emergency preparedness officials.
Decontamination
q
To
handle the approximately 1 million people in the St. Louis metropolitan area,
this will take 400 hospitals
q
Notice
the separation by gender that results in the separations of family units,
inducing mental anxiety.
q
Notice
the male child with his mother, putting him in what would normally be called an
abusive situation if he has to see his mother naked.
q
Notice
that all persons are ambulatory. Will
the disabled be ignored?
q
Notice
that all persons are uninjured. Where
is the blood and guts?
q
Notice
that only government workers wear protective suits.
q
If
clothing is contaminated, will a million pieces of clothing be required?
q
Note
the lack of alarm and panic. Where are
the police to keep order?
Mass Casualty
q
Warehousing
is another term and repeats history.
q
Note
the lack of family facilities and bathrooms in non-contagious situations.
Isolation
q Where does the air come from? A common supply?
q Where does the air go? To the outside? People are getting Legionnaire’s Disease by walking close to care facilities.
q Decontamination products are now available that do not require washing away in a floor drain in which molds or bacteria may live and varmints may enter.
q If this is an isolation room, why are the health care workers not appropriately dressed?
q Are the electrical outlets and other outlets also sealed?
Prepared by Homeland-Defense 4 U, Inc., November 11, 2005. Send questions and comments to 36 Four Seasons Center, #311, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017.