October 03, 2019

Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center Sharpens Emergency Readiness with Realistic Drill

Montclair, New Jersey – On Monday, September 23, 2019 Mountainside Medical Center conducted an emergency preparedness exercise with several community partners. Through the exercise Mountainside Medical tested the critical capabilities of its emergency operations plan in the event of a mass casualty/patient surge event and the coordination of activities with community and county agencies.

In the exercise scenario, an out-of-control dump truck crashed into a chorine tank and a gasoline pump in the Montclair Public Works yard, causing a chlorine release and gas tank explosion. The exercise focused on patient transport, triage, and communication, as well as setting up a decontamination tent and managing a patient surge on an already high-volume patient day.

“These exercises allow us to evaluate and improve on our Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and response capabilities by working, planning, and training together as a community,” said Jill Ryan, director of patient safety and the controller for this exercise. “We welcome the opportunity to perform these drills and appreciate the engagement of our team members and municipal and county partners.”

Participants included 37 simulated patient volunteers (nursing students), Montclair and Glen Ridge Police and Fire Departments, University Hospital - Northeast Region Medical Coordination Center, Essex County Office of Emergency Management and local EMS and Office of Emergency Services officials.

“This successful collaboration contributed to the authenticity of the drill and helped to ensure a coordinated, seamless response plan in the event of an actual emergency,” stated Mountainside CEO John Fromhold.
 

About Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center

Mountainside Medical Center has been serving Montclair and its surrounding New Jersey communities since 1891. The hospital provides patients immediate access to innovative and effective treatment alternatives at specialized centers within the hospital that focus on imaging, women’s health, cancer care, surgery, obesity, stroke and chronic kidney disease. Mountainside Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services and is one of only a few community hospitals licensed by the State to perform emergency cardiac angioplasty. To learn more about Mountainside Medical Center visit www.mountainsidehosp.com.

###

Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center Sharpens Emergency Readiness with Realistic Drill
Share this:
Tags: