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Show 8 Thursday April 23, 1961 s-- uy SMKgid Mock Explosion Disaster Shows Strengths, Weaknesses of County's Emergency System (Continued from Page 1) movement and treatment of that victim. This type information is vital to the phsyician at a glance so he can maintain control of the situation at all times. It was noted that it was at the business as usual clinic adjacent to the hospital and that were this a real life situation the clinic has additional expertise that should be ,: XCs38a Many times if only one physi- As a learning tool the mock disaster seemed to be invaluable in helping work out flaws in each phase of disaster services. The hospital is currently updating its disaster plan and will distribute por- tions i.e. communications, transport, to local police, schools, sheriff and fire department as they pertain. Hospital Emergency Plans In any disaster situation the intitial injury assessment is hospital has access to a Once made by senior EMT at the scene, Packaged Disaster Hospital. can be treated and There are three such hospitals patients in the state. When the resources all unnecessary furniture. This of these units are was done to allow the medical needed in the Garfield County personnel more room to work. area, the hospital ad- Also direction was given by ministrator, charge person, or EMTs to observers to assist in Safety director can contact the any way they could in calmlocal Disaster Civil Defense supposed victims and ing Coordinator for assistance. those wandering about in These Packaged Disaster hysteria. Hospitals are located in A difficulty arose at the Richfield, Cedar City, and St. hospital admitting room when self-contain- ed George. Disasters The hospitals plans also provide for dealing with other types of disasters in addition to dealt with in the explosion-typ- e the drill held recently. both ambulances from the high school loaded with patients left the scene of the disaster simultaneously and arrived right on top of one another. It was noted here that the initial ambulance should have departed the high school for the An earthquake strikes com- hospital as soon as the backup ambulance arrived on the pletely without warning, so a scene. It was discussed that d and was this due partially to lack of plan is the best medical personnel at the scene. defense for this type of Were this a real disaster more disaster. EMTs, fire fighters and law enforcement would be on hand High School Evaluation to help facilitate transport. Panguitch High school prinIn an actual disaster it was cipal LeRoy Burger attended out that any walking pointed the evaluation meeting held the wounded would be immediateweek following the exercise and identified and transported in ly expressed being grateful to cars or ambulatory in participate in this valuable private the ambulances. However, at learning experience. the drill this was a problem in Burger informed the group that local law enforcement did that general evacuation of the not respond to the drill and high school was prompt and were unavailable with squad orderly, with roll call taken in cars to assist. It was also noted each grade level. He will learn that the mere presence of however, that the high school uniformed officers is desired at fire alarm system did not res- the scene as during a crisis, pond as anticipated and is look- uniforms often have a calming into upgrading of that ing affect on victims. system. A problem arose in treating Burger felt strongly that this the large number of wounded was a positive learning situa- as rescuers ran short on bantion for both faculty and dages, blankets, backboard and students and would like other essential items. It was students exposed to this type of suggested that the hospital training on a regular basis. possibly secure an old steamer trunk mark it for emergency Medical Assistance rescue and fill with needed exAt the Scene tra supplies. This could then be Triaging did take place at the located at the hospital scene of the simulated explo- emergency room and picked up sion. However, this proceeded and transported by law enslowly due to the fire depart- forcement personnel to the ment not fully participating in scene. the drill and few trained It was noted in discussion medical personnel at the scene. that sources of extra medical First ambulance was slow to supplies were never tapped or arrive at the scene but senior even on standby and that all EMT Kim Soper did take sources should be identified and used. There were two addicharge upon arriving and re- tional backup stretchers in the mained until all victims had second ambulance that all been transported. EMTs were not aware of and One problem noted at the so were never used. Also, there scene was in the area of com- is an additional backboard and mand and communications. stretcher at the community Some EMTs responded to swimming pool. It was noted direction, others did not. It was that law enforcement and civil discussed that this would be defense might also have equiptaken up at a future meeting of ment available, that this should all county EMTs. Coordinator be identified and made known Bob McCullough would discuss for future rescue efforts. responsiblity of command and Discussion of possible use of that it would usually lie with the some type of triage tag in the senior EMT at the scene. It was was held and further field also noted here how important it is for other agencies upon ar- checking will be done on this It was noted that use of riving to inquire just as to who subject. would make idensuch tags is in command. Jon Torgerson, tification and faster transport Panguitch fire chief did this. of victims easier. Also some It was mentioned that direc- valuable information obtained tion was given to civilian on from the victim in those first lookers to vacate the room of few minutes might be well-rehears- i. ' cian is available at the outset of a crisis, he will act as both triage officer and provide primary treatment. The board could be maintained by a clerical worker at direction of the physician but must reflect accurate, updated information at all times. utilized. well-planne- ' ed - fr i Use of the control board could also be made by hospital public relations personnel. Informa- tion on condition of patient could be relayed to lobby and switchboard personnel as released by physician only. It was noted that additional communications runners were needed to relate between transcribed by observers or charge nurse in emergency and law enforcement on tags so inregistered nurses handling formation might not have to be treatment in other rooms of the retaken at hospital. It was hospital. noted that color ID tags are It was determined during the available and very practical for evaluation session, that the use in the field. disaster tags used currently by the hospital were not funcRoom Evaluation Emergency tional. These tags were difficult It was mentioned that to attach directly to the patient although valuable triaging did because strings were too short take place at the hospital, too and awkward. New tags will be much was in actual emergency looked into with possible rubber room rather than at check point bands for attaching or some in the hallway. Only life of writing used directly on type threatening injuries should the patient. This problem is have proceeded to emergency critical it was noted with all other injuries shunted especially were the disaster to involve to appropriate treatment a busload of foreign visitors, rooms. which is likely to happen at some future date. Discussion of location of patients included use of both labor One step in admitting that it room and recovery room for was felt would aid any initial more critically injured and in treatment of the victim was to need of surgery. Burn victims all patient information; keep could be shuttled to the i.e. requisitions, test results, obstetrics area for treatment. right with the patient. A cona makeshift clipboard would be handy for Although trol board was initiated on the such gathering of material and wall adjoining emergency, it could be placed directly under was suggested that a permapatient on cart. An emergency nent board could be installed. (ER) sheet as well as an Intensive Care Unit sheet (ICU) This would be a chalkboard columns to be could also be assembled with with used in identifying the victim necessary admitting work on and keeping abreast of all this clipboard. transported. Here EMTs Lowell Vee Henrie, Jr. and Kim Proctor load first patient for transport. f ' " '"'sV' v I 4' ' V &, Utah Highway Patrol trooper Craig Twitcheil was on hand to cover crowd control if needed and here directs traffic at main intersection to allow ambulance greater ease in Better mobilization mentioned that all nurses living in the area should be on the list rather than just those currently on payroll. An additional list should be made it was deter- of hospital personnel with specific assignments as litter bearers would have helped in unloading victims from ambulance units, locating them in beds and returning the stretchers and gumies to the ER area. Use of extra persons as litter bearers might also have helped at the scene Discussion ot updating ail call lists was held and it was working through traffic. mined, listing all persons who speak any foreign language in the area. This would be essential if disaster were a busload or even carload of foreign visitors. Bryce Canyon National Park will be contacted as a resource in this instance. WE BO ALL KINDS Large or Small Orders FAST SERVICE x-ra- ys pre-print- ed LETTERHEADS WEDDINGS STICKERS ENVELOPES POSTERS BUSINESS CARDS CARBONLESS PAPER BUSINESS FORMS and BOOKS FLYERS MENUS NEWSPAPERS Svudu rivtiUtU COPIES WHILE YOU WAIT CALL TODAY FREE estimates TheKicUfield Reaper Street 43 South Main 4431 An important step in any multiple injury disaster is patient identification. Here volunteer Marilyn Kruse v ties disaster identification tag student victim as enters hospital emergency treatment. on for I |