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Another perspective from a large university hospital, not a designated trauma center, about 60 blocks north of Bellevue. We activated our disaster plan at approx. 0915, set up incident command, and had a total security lock down in about 15-20 minutes. The Emergency Department was closed to all visitors and staff whose duties did not include posting in the department. Due to some well intentioned departments eager to help we did receive a bolus of physicians. They were promptly removed and sent to staffing pool or back to their departments where we could call for them as needed. Our institution is between two avenues and over 4 city blocks with multiple access points. We closed down a city street for ambulance arrival and triage outside of the emergency department. Our decon facility was set up in our ambulance bay area We experienced a severe lack of reliable information. We used NYPD posted at the hospital, EMS crews who were at the scene, TV, Internet as well as our communication with other New York City hospital representatives. We never received any formal notification from EMS or OEM. Later we learned why. We had some difficulty with our telephone and radio communication with our command post due to lack of familiarity but managed to relay information reliably as time progressed. We had cleared out our 40 bed ED and identified 100 inpatient beds, 40 critical care beds and 10 operating rooms with 8 PACU beds all staffed and ready in about 1hour. Blood bank had 100 units of blood in the ED but we did not have a fridge large enough to keep it. Stayed in two coolers until we cleared out a fridge in the pantry. Pharmacy came down to the department and manned our med room setting up small amounts of resuscitation meds but mostly had large supplies of atropine, 2-PAM, ativan, cephalexin, cipro, doxy, and amazing to see how much tetanus they could find (national shortage). I really was surprised and shocked at how quick and organized the hospital geared up. Unfortunately due to our distance from the site we receive only about 20 victims all minor, mostly respiratory, musculoskeletal, and anxiety. We learned through TV that the victims primarily were seen at St. Vincent's, Bellevue, and Jersey City. Most victims were seen in the first few hours. As news continued to arrive we maintained our ability to receive and treat victims in full disaster response mode for 24 hrs. We debriefed the following morning and our critique will be next week. By the next day the reality of the tragedy was clear. In addition to the pain felt from the tragic loss of civilians, police and fire fighters, we were heartbroken to hear of missing FDNY, private, and volunteer EMS crews. We share that special bond as they transfer care of their patients to us in the department. It has been very difficult and the numb feeling can be overwhelming at times leading to unexpected tears. I want to thank all those people who contacted us by phone, email, etc., to offer help. I know after with speaking to other institutions in the city the response by others was similar, we all stood ready and prepared during this tragedy. Kevin
Chason, D. O. More on Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Medical Information and Resources |
