May 1-7 is Emergency Preparedness Week at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). This year’s theme is “Be Ready for Anything”. Throughout the week we will share information related to emergency preparedness at TBRHSC and tips for personal emergency preparedness.
Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC:
The Emergency Preparedness and Security department works closely with the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) to ensure that TBRHSC has the capacity to effectively respond, recover and learn from emergencies. The EPC is comprised of staff from various programs and services and is responsible for providing oversight and leadership related to hospital emergency preparedness.
TBRHSC follows the Ontario Health Association (OHA) standardized Emergency Colour Code system. Each colour code (as well as Alert 99 and Lockdown) has an Executive Sponsor (who is a leader and EPC member) and working group assigned to maintaining the associated policy, reviewing key incidents, and identifying education or training opportunities. The Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Security and Lead, Emergency Preparedness work closely with these groups.
Be Ready for Anything by being familiar with all emergency code processes, and knowing your department-specific actions.
Preparedness Spotlight:
We asked some of the EPC Executive Sponsors to share how they help to ensure that TBRHSC is Ready for Anything.
Anne-Marie Heron (Executive Sponsor for Code Red and Code Grey):
“As the Executive Sponsor for Code Red, we ensure the Hospital is Ready for Anything through annual review of the policy and fire plan, monthly drills, preventative maintenance, and fire code reminders to staff.
As the Executive Sponsor for Code Grey – air exclusion and infrastructure failure – we are developing more detailed sub-plans to ensure we are Ready for Anything that mother nature can throw at us – storms, flood, power failure, etc. and developing projects to support infrastructure resiliency.”
Aaron Skillen (Executive Sponsor for Code Brown):
“Any substance having the potential to cause physical harm, regardless of origin, must be considered dangerous. Hospital occupants and property must be protected from exposure to hazardous or potentially hazardous substances or spills. The Code Brown working group develops the procedures to be followed to ensure an immediate and safe means of identification, communication, response and clean-up of hazardous spills.”
Lisa Beck (Executive Sponsor for Code Orange):
“Have a plan and ensure everyone is aware of where it is located and their role. When real or near Code Orange events happen, debrief with all involved while things are fresh in their minds. Strengthen and build on what things when right and act quickly on things that need improvement. Work efficiently as a team!
Ron Turner (Executive Sponsor for Code Green):
“A Code Green is called when an evacuation is required to protect all people in the building from injury or potential harm resulting from a hazardous condition. Some of the key objectives of the plan include alerting staff of the need to evacuate, identifying the type of evacuation response required, accounting for patients, and moving patients from the impacted area to a safer environment away from the hazardous condition. In these situations, a Code Green response identifies the actions that are required and helps staff determine the best course of action, whether that is moving all people to another unit within the hospital, outside, or away from the building all together. As the Executive Sponsor for Code Green, I commend the efforts of the Code Green Working Group and the contributions of all staff to ensure that TBRHSC is Ready for Anything.”