WHAT IS YOUR ROLE DURING A DISASTER?- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE DURING A DISASTER?- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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July 10, 2000
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In This Issue:
It’s eight straight for BWH
Street Beat 2000 is coming July 12
Summer Incentive Program Update
PIKE NOTES
Friends of BWH celebrate success
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE DURING A DISASTER?
Partners Night at the Boston Pops
BWH Researchers Celebrate
ASK YOURSELF: WHAT IS YOUR ROLE DURING A DISASTER?
Brigham and Women’s Hospital refers to a disaster alert as Code Amber. There are two kinds of disaster alerts, “internal” and “external”; and three phases of alerts. An internal disaster is an event that may impair the operations of the hospital and disrupt normal patient care activities. A power outage, fire, or flood are examples of internal disasters. Phases of an internal disaster are as follows: • Phase I indicates minimal disruption to the hospital’s operations. • Phase II indicates a hazardous condition. • Phase III indicates that evacuation plans will be implemented. An external disaster is an event that may yield a large influx of patients to the hospital in a short time period. An airplane crash, multi-vehicle accident, large building fire, or industrial accident are examples of external disasters. Physicians will be contacted if medical admissions are anticipated. Phases of an external disaster are as follows: • Phase I anticipates an influx of 10 or fewer patients. • Phase II anticipates 10-20 patients. • Phase III anticipates more than 20 patients. BWH has a detailed Disaster Plan so that staff and employees may respond quickly, efficiently, and safely to either types of disaster. Find the Disaster Manual in your work area and learn your role during a Code Amber. If you hear Code Amber via the overhead paging system, report to your department supervisor for instructions and stand by for further announcements. If the Code Amber is a Phase II or a Phase III alert, department managers will send auxiliary staff to the Bornstein Amphitheater to assist in disaster related activities as directed by the BWH Disaster Command Center.