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.
Augustine
Jim
J
Emory University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. jaugust@emory.edu
Schoettmer
John T
JT
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*