FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/15/2015 12:00:00 AM
CENTRAL
Updated:
12/15/2015 7:54:06 AM
CENTRAL
Labette Health to Conduct Disaster Drill
Labette Health to Conduct Emergency Preparedness Drill Parsons—Regardless of the type of emergency, Labette Health has plans to allow it to function when standard operations are not possible. “This includes anything from weather-related emergencies, medical emergencies, security issues including active shooters and bomb threats, fires or other natural disasters, and external disasters such as a bombing or major traffic accident that may impact the hospital with a high number of trauma patients admitted to the emergency department,” stated Neil Springer, Labette Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and chairperson of the SEK Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness. On Monday, December 21, Labette Health is collaborating with Parsons Police Department, Parsons Fire Department, EMS, Sheriff’s Department, 911 Communications, Labette County Emergency Management Public Health and the Labette Center for Mental to Health for a “bomb threat” drill. Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) is a nationally recognized accreditation organization with deeming authority from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Part of HFAP’s conditions of participation requires hospitals to participate in two disaster drills per year. “The goal of this exercise is to enhance working relationships and collaboration between the agencies and organizations involved,” Springer said. “It’s a mock exercise, but it’s also a very real test of our ability to respond to an actual disaster.” Monday’s drill is set to happen around 2pm. It will focus on response plans for an actual crisis, which could trigger a sudden flood of patients who are injured or suffering from an unexpected disaster. Normal operations of the hospital will not be affected by the drill. ###