Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.chickashanews.com/local/local_story_112171510.html
Published April 22, 2009 04:14 pm -
Exercise to test medical capability
Emily Lawson
The Express-Star
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will conduct a two-day exercise begining today to test capabilities related to mass distribution of medication and medical surge in the event of a public health emergency.
The purpose for this exercise is to improve the ability of medical systems to respond and recover from disastrous emergencies such as large scale evacuations, terrorism or pandemic outbreaks as well as making sure hospitals have the ability to obtain additional resources when needed.
?This exercise coincides with the Cities Readiness Initiative which is a CDC concept based on an anthrax event which hospitals will have to request resources and make sure they are following the correct procedures to do so,? said Cara Crooks of the Comanche County Health Department.
Exercises such as these allow for local communities to partner together during catastrophic times. Regional teams will be participating in the exercise to provide guidance for improving response time. This exercise does not have a public component, however citizens may see events such as escorted transportation during the exercise.
On Wednesday, April 22, the exercise will be testing communication systems in the county to make sure that if an emergency were to occur, contacting the correct people would be a smooth process.
Partners of the event in Grady County are the police department, fire department, sheriffs office, health department and emergency management.
On Thursday, April 23, a scenario will be given focusing on an anthrax attack. Participants will be told that they are given a specific amount of medication and they must then decide how much medication will be sent to local health institutions. Hospitals across the state will participating on this day as well.
Grady Memorial Hospital and other hospitals in the area will be partnering with Grady County during this exercise which will also involve the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma County Health Department, Tulsa Health Department, Canadian County Health Department, Cleveland County Health Department, Grady County Health Department, Logan County Health Department, and Pottawatomie County Health Department. In addition, several medical system partners in these counties will be participating.
For more information on the Health Department?s statewide exercise visit http://ok.gov/health and click the Exercise Program link.
Published April 22, 2009 04:14 pm -
Exercise to test medical capability
Emily Lawson
The Express-Star
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will conduct a two-day exercise begining today to test capabilities related to mass distribution of medication and medical surge in the event of a public health emergency.
The purpose for this exercise is to improve the ability of medical systems to respond and recover from disastrous emergencies such as large scale evacuations, terrorism or pandemic outbreaks as well as making sure hospitals have the ability to obtain additional resources when needed.
?This exercise coincides with the Cities Readiness Initiative which is a CDC concept based on an anthrax event which hospitals will have to request resources and make sure they are following the correct procedures to do so,? said Cara Crooks of the Comanche County Health Department.
Exercises such as these allow for local communities to partner together during catastrophic times. Regional teams will be participating in the exercise to provide guidance for improving response time. This exercise does not have a public component, however citizens may see events such as escorted transportation during the exercise.
On Wednesday, April 22, the exercise will be testing communication systems in the county to make sure that if an emergency were to occur, contacting the correct people would be a smooth process.
Partners of the event in Grady County are the police department, fire department, sheriffs office, health department and emergency management.
On Thursday, April 23, a scenario will be given focusing on an anthrax attack. Participants will be told that they are given a specific amount of medication and they must then decide how much medication will be sent to local health institutions. Hospitals across the state will participating on this day as well.
Grady Memorial Hospital and other hospitals in the area will be partnering with Grady County during this exercise which will also involve the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma County Health Department, Tulsa Health Department, Canadian County Health Department, Cleveland County Health Department, Grady County Health Department, Logan County Health Department, and Pottawatomie County Health Department. In addition, several medical system partners in these counties will be participating.
For more information on the Health Department?s statewide exercise visit http://ok.gov/health and click the Exercise Program link.