Hospital Plans Mock Disaster

Mary Rutan Hospital

Hospital staff often train for responding to emergencies (a car crash, a train wreck, and even the possibility of an infectious outbreak) outside of their facility.  But what about when an emergency occurs at your facility?

Each year Mary Rutan Hospital takes part in “external” mock disasters that affect the community.  This week the hospital staff will take part in an “internal” mock disaster that will portray an explosion between two levels of the hospital. During the disaster drill, employees will practice evacuation of volunteer patients and manage situations in areas where there might be interruption of electrical, water and oxygen services.

“The mock disaster is part of our continued planning effort to prepare our employees and test the procedures in place for such a disaster”, says Becky Nicholl, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Risk Management.  “The procedure is to ensure patient safety in the event of a disaster with as little disruption in patient care as possible, while educating staff, physicians, and volunteers in their roles and responsibilities.”

Mary Rutan Hospital along with members of the Bellefontaine Fire Department will orchestrate the mock disaster on Friday, November 15, 2002.