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Scottsdale, AZ - Flu pandemic drill garners national recognition
Flu pandemic drill garners national recognition
By Mary Reinhart
Tribune
A pandemic flu disaster drill held in Scottsdale this spring has won
national attention. Federal health officials Wednesday recognized
Scottsdale among four communities nationwide for having an
exceptional disaster plan. The American Medical Association and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Scottsdale's plan,
demonstrated during an April disaster drill, stood out for its
collaboration among various agencies.
Scottsdale Healthcare officials, who coordinated the Coyote Crisis
Campaign pandemic flu exercise, presented the results of that drill
this week in Washington, D.C., at a national readiness conference.
"Pandemic flu is far more devastating than anyone can imagine," said
Wendy Lyons, vice president of strategic planning for Scottsdale
Healthcare. "The exercise did what it was supposed to do - reflect
the realities of pandemic management and reveal where we can make
improvements in readiness."
Cities in Oregon, Minnesota and Virginia also were recognized for
their disaster plans.
Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and Shea hospitals were the center of
the daylong drill, which simulated an avian flu outbreak sweeping the
Valley.
A surge of "patients" hit the hospitals, which were locked down to
prevent spread of the deadly infection. Triage tents were erected in
the parking lots and student nurses, local students and other
volunteers played the role of patients.
In addition to hospital staff, the drill included the Air National
Guard, General Dynamics, Luke Air Force Base, the city of Scottsdale,
Arizona State University, Mayo Clinic, and state and county health
officials.
By Mary Reinhart
Tribune
A pandemic flu disaster drill held in Scottsdale this spring has won
national attention. Federal health officials Wednesday recognized
Scottsdale among four communities nationwide for having an
exceptional disaster plan. The American Medical Association and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Scottsdale's plan,
demonstrated during an April disaster drill, stood out for its
collaboration among various agencies.
Scottsdale Healthcare officials, who coordinated the Coyote Crisis
Campaign pandemic flu exercise, presented the results of that drill
this week in Washington, D.C., at a national readiness conference.
"Pandemic flu is far more devastating than anyone can imagine," said
Wendy Lyons, vice president of strategic planning for Scottsdale
Healthcare. "The exercise did what it was supposed to do - reflect
the realities of pandemic management and reveal where we can make
improvements in readiness."
Cities in Oregon, Minnesota and Virginia also were recognized for
their disaster plans.
Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and Shea hospitals were the center of
the daylong drill, which simulated an avian flu outbreak sweeping the
Valley.
A surge of "patients" hit the hospitals, which were locked down to
prevent spread of the deadly infection. Triage tents were erected in
the parking lots and student nurses, local students and other
volunteers played the role of patients.
In addition to hospital staff, the drill included the Air National
Guard, General Dynamics, Luke Air Force Base, the city of Scottsdale,
Arizona State University, Mayo Clinic, and state and county health
officials.
