On Thursday, August 14, 2008, Westerly Hospital employees engaged in a full day regional preparedness drill for an outbreak of pandemic influenza. Among the objectives of the drill were to demonstrate the Hospital’s ability to effectively coordinate patient care with alternative staffing models and to deal with anticipated patient surges; and, to demonstrate the ability for all involved entities to properly allocate required resources.

Besides the Hospital, other participants included Wood River Health Services, South Shore Mental Health Center, VNS Home Health Services, and others. Observers included the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, Thundermist Health Center, and Northwest Health Center.

 

According to Margaret Austin, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, who served as Incident Commander for the drill, participants were subjected to and expected to respond to situations and conditions which could potentially manifest themselves in a true pandemic flu crisis. “From staffing the emergency department to dealing with patient overflow to communicating with affected families, we tried to simulate potential pandemic conditions,” said Austin.

 

“No one can predict whether a flu pandemic will ever hit this region,” added Austin. “However, it’s always best to plan for the worst so that we can be prepared as much as possible if and when that day comes. These drills allow us the opportunity to cross-train and prepare for a multitude of possibilities.” 

 

“Drills like this one are extremely valuable.” “I’m proud of the effort put forth by all the participants. We learned alot.”

 

Westerly Hospital engages in disaster preparedness drills several times a year. In April, 2008, the Hospital staged a mock drill in which a train with 56 passengers and crew members derailed near the Westerly Train Station.