Code Yellow Disaster Drill at Bon Secours

Online, February 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - On Saturday, March 5th, Bon Secours Baltimore Health System will be partnering with a local community church to conduct a code yellow Disaster Preparation Drill. "We believe it is important to test our ability to handle a sudden influx of patients from the community as a result of an emergency in the area," states Judy Carmichael, Coordinator of Public Relations at Bon Secours. Over the past several years, their exercises may have focused on an influx of patients, but there always has been at least some warning. When an incident occurs around the corner from the hospital, there is NO WARNING.

As a safety net for the community of which they serve, Bon Secours must demonstrate that they are prepared to handle the needs of the community in an emergency situation. This drill will allow managers, staff, and the community to better understand the hospital's role during a disaster. On Saturday, March 5th, managers and staff will be notified through their Everbridge Notification System of staffing needs based on the staged incident. It is important that they demonstrate to the community that they take disaster planning seriously.

Some of the drill objectives are to test the hospital's ability to:
• Respond to a sudden influx of patients from the community;
• Accurately track the flow of patients;
• Control access as needed;
• Activate and operate the Hospital Incident Command System;
• Track cost of exercise (or event);
• Accurately document patient care; and
• Effectively communicate during exercise (or event).

In an effort to supplement the church volunteers, they have solicited some additional assistance from the Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry and newly formed health Career Explorer Post 1881. They are also looking for family members of employees who may be interested in volunteering with the employee is assisting during the drill. Unaccompanied volunteers must be 18 years old and all others must be at least 11 years old. Volunteers will need to be able to be at the hospital from 8 AM to 1 PM. Interested volunteers should email Kari Kragness ([email protected]) or call 410-362-3532.