Evacuation of a rural community hospital: lessons learned from an unplanned event.
A credible bomb threat forced the complete evacuation of a rural community hospital. An Incident Command System was implemented, and all 46 patients were temporarily transported and maintained at 2 local sites. They were returned to the hospital approximately 24 hours later. Only one patient experienced a complication possibly associated with the evacuation. This article discusses pertinent strategies and considerations involved in the planning and execution of a rural hospital evacuation. It further highlights the role of the emergency department medical and nursing staff throughout the evacuation process.
Emory University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. jaugust@emory.edu
Jim
J
Augustine
John T
JT
Schoettmer
D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005107:Explosions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration; D023481:Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*