Department of Health Library Services ePublications - Historical Collection
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Northern Territory Department of Health Library Services Historical Collection
DL HIST 363.34 DIS
1983
DISASTER PLJXN
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HISTORICAL COLLECTION
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CENTRAL LIBRARY
1 4 OCl 99
TERRITORY HEAL TH SERVlCES
DISASTER PLAN ALICE SPRINGS HOSPITAL
ENTRAL LIBRARY
2 5 SEP 1998
TERRITORY HEAL TH SERVICES
ISBN O 7245 1176 8
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36 5, 34
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Pub: August 1983
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SECTION 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CONTENTS
Information Diaster Alert Diaster Plan
Reception of Casualties General Information
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DISASTER PLAN ALICE SPRINGS
SECTION: 1 INFORMATION
1.1 IMPORTANT
a) Destroy all old disaster plans.
b) Read carefully - most of the hospital is involved in some way. Underline your unit's involvement.
c) d)
e)
Keep for ready use should the need arise.
Please bear with the exercises. They are valuable and considered essential by all experts on disaster planning.
During an exercise, the disturbance to patient care should be minimal but i t will inevitably occur.
Often eg with bomb alerts, aircraft incidents, there may be an alert call which does not proceed to a disaster notification.
During this time heads of departments may be contacted and asked to remain available at short notice. Equipment should be checked. In the event that a disaster occurs, the full disaster plan will be put into effect immediately.
1.2 IMPORTANT AREAS
a) Conference Room, 1st Floor, is the Operations Room and co-ordinating center during the emergency (phone 2240 or 2292 or 2293.)
h) c)
d)
e)
The Medical Superintendent, the Matron and the Hospital Secretary will be available in the Operations Room
Casualty/ O.P.D. Area is the Casualty Receiving and Clearing Area.
Ward 8 is the Admitting Ward for all casual ties. The capac1 ty is 14 beds, and any overflow will go to the Surgical Ward.
Specialist O.P.D. Area is for walking casualties, al though most of these will be taken directly to the Community Health Centre.
Physiotherapy Department is the temporary morgue if the hospital mortuary is filled.
2
SECTION: 2 ALERT CALL
2.1 A Disaster Alert will occur when the Medical Superinten- dent receives confirmation of a possible or impending disaster involving more than 10 victims.
2.2. Reception of Call
The person receiving the call will.
a) Record the (2555).
Switchboard Will:
details Immediately notify switchboard
b) Contact Medical Superintendent and await his decision on commencement of Disaster Alert.
c) Ring 000 - St John Ambulance.
If Alert is to proceed -
d) Contact Matron/ Nursing Supervisor e) Contact Hospital Secretary on call f) Alert Sister in Charge Casualty
g) Contact Regional Director or D.M.O. on call.
2.3 During Disaster Alert Phase a) Medical Superintendent
1. Liaises with Police, Regional Director, Matron and the Hospital Secretary and the Liaison Officer.
2. Ensures that surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians,
3.
paediatricians, pathologist, radiologist and pharmacist are alerted.
Ensures that off duty medical officers and General Practitioners if necessary are alerted and available.
4. Ensures that the Casualty Department has full and up to date details of the alert.
b) Matron/Nursing Supervisor
1. Ensures whereabouts of key staff,
s.
I.c.
Casualty, off duty theatre and nursing staff.2. Notifies operating theatre staff, Sisters and C.S.D. of the alert.
I. C. U. Ward
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c)
d)
e)
3.
4.
3
Prepares to assign staff to Casualty/0.P.D. and X-ray.
Prepares to assign staff to Ward 8.
Hospital Secretary
1. Contacts Orderly Supervisor and Assistant Secretary and Safety Officer and O.I.C. Charging and Medical Records, Checks availability of off duty orderlies.
2. Unlocks Ward 8, Physiotherapy Department, kitchen, Typing Pool, Registry, Casualty, X-ray doors.
3. Alerts drivers for lifts and prepares to set lifts to manual control.
Orderly Supervisor
1. Prepares to bring to Casualty:-
2.
i) All Patient Trolleys ii) Portable Oxygen Units iii) Drip Stands
iv) Mattresses.
Assigns two orderlies to Ward 8 and one orderly to I.C.U.
S.I.C. Casualty 1.
2.
3.
4.
Checks all equipment Checks all staff
Unlocks Disaster Cupboard
Checks all Casualty Disaster Procedures.
4
SECTION: 3 FULL DISASTER PLAN
3.1
3.2
In the event that a disaster actually occurs, the Medical Superintendent will authorise switchboard to proceed with the Full Disaster Plan.
Switchboard
a) Curtail all incoming calls
b) 'Contact all names on Contact List (Annexe A). The list is kept at Switchboard.
3.3 Medical Superintendent
a) Proceeds to Operations Room.
b) Recalls all staff as per "Disaster Alert".
c) Prepares to send out a surgeon and an anaesthetist i f requested to do so by the Regional Director.
d) Proceeds to dispatch liaison officer to Regional Disaster H/Q.
3.4 Hospital Secretary
3.5
3.6
a) Proceeds to Operations Room.
b) Recalls all staff as per "Disaster Alert".
Matron
a) Proceeds to Operations Room.
b) Recalls all staff as per "Disaster Alert".
Orderly Supervisor
a) Complete all procedures as per "Disaster Alert".
b) Direct all excess orderlies to remain in Medical Records Department until required.
3.7 S.I.C. Casualty
a) Send non urgent patients home.
b) Move all urgent waiting patients to the~Specialists Area of O.P.D. Admit and discharge patients through the Fire Escape Door.
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3.8 c) d)
e)
f)
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Issue Arm Bands. Red to Medical Officers. Blue to Nurses and Green to Ehrolled Nurses.
Assign staff - one sister, one M.O. and one enrolled nurse to urgent outpatients.
Prepare Casualty Area by:-
i) Moving all seats to Specialist end.
ii) Placing mattresses on centre of floor, ensuring there are clear passage-ways at entrance to Pharmacy and X-ray.
Unlock Dangerous Drugs Cupboard.
Resident Medical Officers
a) One of the Medical Resident's will report to I.C.U.
b) All other RMO's report to Casualty as soon as possible.
c) Hospital paediatric registrars and one obstetric registrar will remain on duty for all Wards except Ward 8. (The Disaster Ward).
d) Discharge convalescent patients as directed by the Medical Superintendent.
3.9 Ward Sisters
a) Discharge convalescent patients as directed by the Medical Superintendent.
b) Notify Operations Room (2240) of available beds.
3.10 Nursing Staff
a) Recalled staff report to Registry (1st Floor).
b) Rostered staff as directed by Ward Sister.
c) Theatre and Casualty and I . C. U.
report directly to sections.
3.11 Yard Staff
Report to kitchen (Ground Floor).
3.12 Cleaning Staff
Report to Kitchen (Ground Floor).
and C. S .D. staff
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3.13 Laundry Staff
a) Ensure that EXTRA LINEN and Wd 8.
is available for Casualty
b) Report to Kitchen (Ground Floor).
3.14 Clerical Staff
Report to Typing Pool (1st Floor).
3.15 Assistant Secretary
a) Report to Medical Superintendent.
b) Assume position as Liaison Officer at Regional Disaster H/Q. (St John Ambulance Control Centre).
c) Ensure that informed of disaster.
the Medical Superintendent all information relating
is to
kept the
d) Liaise on behalf of Medical Superintendent with all other groups actively involved with the Regional Disaster Plan.
3.16 O.I.C. Charging
a) Take charge of all Clerical Staff congregated in the Typing Pool.
b) Establish that the Technical Maintenance Officer is available.
c) Establish that the Regional Storeman is available.
d)
e)
Assign six clerks to Casualty numbered 1 - 6. Each clerk's number should be clearly visible. Each clerk should man one of the five Casualty entrances:-
Ensure all persons performing specific tasks are labelled clearly, so they are easily identifiable .
. three to main Casualty Area . one door to corridor and X-ray . one door Specialist Area
. one to temporary morgue (physiotherapy department) Each clerk should be provided with labels, pen, felt pen, triplicate notebook.
f) Delegate staff (if available) to man phones in the Operations Room, Medical Superintendents Office, Hospital Secretary's Office and.Matron's Office.
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g)
h)
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Instruct any other available staff to remain in Typing Pool until required.
Proceed to Casualty Department to act as Ground Floor Co-ordinator.
i) Check that clerical staff are positioned.
ii) Liaise with S.I.C. Casualty.
3.17 Safety Officer
a)
b)
c) d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Assume charge of all yard, laundry and cleaning staff congregated in the kitchen.
Allocate runners i) ii) iii)
2 to Casualty
2 to top floor
2 to Hospital Secretary Send 2 men to X-ray to act as lifters.
Send 3 men to Orderly Supervisor to assist with transport of equipment to Caualty Department.
Send half of any other available manpower to Medical Records to be available for any duties in Casualty/
X-ray. The other half shall remain in kitchen until required.
Ensure that all persons performing specific tasks are labelled clearly, so they are easily identifi- able.
If Police not at hand provide guards to all Hospital entrances.
i) 2 to Casualty South
ii) 1 to Casualty Fire Escape iii) 1 to Main Entrance
iv) 1 to Northern (kitchen) Entrance v) 1 to Rear Switch Entrance
Send two men to the Physiotherapy Department to act as Mortuary Attendants.
i) Recall Catering Manager j) Proceed to Upper Floor
Co-ordinator.
3.18 Radiologist
Recall all available staff.
Clear X-ray Department.
to act as Upper Floor
a) b)
c) Send one Radiographer with a portable unit to Ward 8.
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3.19 Anaesthetist
a) Recall other anaesthetists.
b) Clear I.C.U. beds if possible.
c) Instruct one Medical RMO to remain in I.C.U.
3.20 Pathologist
a) Recall all available pathology staff.
b) Notify Blood Bank (ph: 522277) of situation.
3.21 Pharmacist
a) Recall all available pharmacy staff.
b) Check stocks of Resuscitation Drugs and Fluids in Casualty and Ward 8 (Disaster Ward).
3.22 Catering Manager
a) Provide refreshments for Hospital Workers.
b) Provide refreshments for relatives of victims in Nurses Lounge.
3.23 Social Worker
a) Provide comfort and support to victims relatives and friends in Nurses Lounge.
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SECTION: 4 RECEPTION OF CASUALTIES
4.1 The Senior Surgeon Specialist available will assume initial control of the Casualty Receiving and Clearing Area, until required in theatre; the Assistant Medical Superintendent will then be in charge. The person in charge will be the "Triage Officer".
4.2 The S.I.C. Casualty will be 2I/C
4.3 The Officer in Charge of Charging will act as Groundfloor Co-ordinator. He will liaise with S. I.
c.
Casualty and ensure that all non-medical functions of the Disaster Plan are being fulfilled on the Ground Floor.4. 4 Medical Teams will be comprised of one Medical Officer, one Nursing Sister and one Enrolled Nurse. The teams will be compiled by the S.I.C. Casualty.
Each team will remain as a unit until the emergency has ended.
Each team in rotation will be allocated a single patient as they are admitted.
The Medical Officers for the first two patients and the Surgical Registrar will accompany their patients to Ward 8 and remain there.
Nursing Staff from these teams will be re-allocated in Casualty, by the S.I.C.
If two Surgeon Specialists are available they should liaise with the Senior Surgeon Specialist.
4.5 Clerk I at Casualty Door will give odd numbers, 1, 3, 5, etc and Clerk II at Casualty Door will give even numbers 2, 4, 6, etc to each casualty admitted, by tying to the patient (left arm if possible) a label with a number on it. It is also important to write the number on the patients forehead or some visible part of the body with a felt pen.
These numbers will identify the patients until the emergency ends.
4. 6 Stretcher Patients will be taken to the Holding Room, Dressing Room, Central Casualty Floor Area or into the Resuscitation Room if necessary.
4.7 Clerk I and Clerk II will direct walking patients to the Specialist's Area of O.P.D. If these patients have to
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remain in hospital after being treated in
o.
P. D. they will be taken to another· Ward as directed by Medical Superintendent.4.8 Clerk III will circulate through the stretcher area noting non-medical details of each patient on a tripli- cate note book, (number, name if known, sex, approx age, build or distinguishing marks, racial group). Particular attention should be given to "Medical Alert Tags" and if any are found advise the Medical Team treating the patient.
4.9 Enrolled Nurse attached to each Medical Team will act as recorder for the Medical Officer, noting details about injuries, diagnosis and medications given. In addition to this the diagnosis, time and dosage of medications given should be recorded clearly on the patients label.
If surgery is required this should also be made clear on the label.
4.10 Patients will leave Casualty via X-ray if necessary.
4.11 Clerk IV stationed at the exit from Casualty, X-ray will note the number of the patient going to Ward 8 (Disaster Ward), record the diagnosis from the label and send a copy to the Operations Room.
4.12 Clerk V stationed at Specialist Area Door will note details of walking casual ties and send a copy to the Operations Room.
4.13 Transport Staff will be available from Medical Records.
4.14 D.O.A.'s Vehicles carrying victims who are D.O.A. at the Hospital should be directed to the North Kitchen Door and the bodies should then be transported to the Physio- therapy Department if the Mortuary is full. Any details of the deceased will be recorded by the Clerk, who will send a copy of the information to the Operations Room.
If any doubt whatsoever exists as to whether a victim is D.O.A. a Medical Officer should be called upon to examine the victim.
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SECTION: 5 GENERAL INFORMATION
5.1 Operations Room
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
a) Should keep an updated Staff Check List.
b) Should assess the need for outside staff.
c) Should assign staff to the Relatives Room.
d) Should notify Ministers of Religion.
e) Should with the co-operation of the Red Cross consider the need for Radio Messages for Blood Donors.
It is very important that the Medical Superintendent, the Matron and the Hospital Secretary are available in the Operations Room until the emergency has ended. If, for any reason you have to leave the Operations Room, ensure that you can be contacted quickly.
Victims Relatives
a) The relatives of accident victims should be directed to the Nurses Lounge.
b) The Social Worker should ensure that support and comfort is provided.
c) The Catering Manager will provide refreshments.
Switchboard
a) For the first two hours immediately following the declaration of the Disaster Plan being put into operation, no information will be available in answer to outside enquiries.
b) After this enquiries must be directed to the Medical Superintendent in the Operations Room.
Other Hospital Activities
a) Only services and/or urgent Outpatient cases will be ad.mi tted to the Specialist Area of the Outpatient Department. These patients will be ad.mi tted and discharged through the Fire Escape Door by the guard. If the guard has the slightest doubt about the seriousness or the urgency of any particular patient he will consult the Medical Officer seeing Outpatients.
b) All other patients within the Hospital will be placed under the care of the Obstetric and Paediatrics Registrars, until the emergency is over.
If you have any doubts as to what your role is during the emergency consult the Floor Co-ordinator for your floor.
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