Emergency Update
THIS IS A DRILL.
PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY
READ THE ENTIRE MESSAGE BELOW.
St. Elizabeth Hospital’s Disaster Plan is Currently Activated
According to the State Department of Health and Hospitals there has been a community exposure to anthrax.
Anthrax is a biological agent normally spread through inhalation of spores. Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, malaise, cough, mild chest discomfort followed by severe respiratory distress. As a result, it is recommended that St. Elizabeth Hospital administer protective (prophylactic) medications to its team members as a precaution against contracting this disease.
The recommended medication is Ciprofloxacin. We will be distributing a 4 -day course of this medication for you and those who reside in your immediate household. A medication distribution center has been set up in the telemetry classroom. The Medication Distribution Center will open at 10:00 a.m. and will remain open for a period of 1 1/2 hours, during which time you MUST pick up medications for yourself and those in your immediate household.
Medications will be distributed to team members of St. Elizabeth Hospital including full-time, part-time, and PRN team members. Medications will also be provided to members of the hospital’s volunteer auxiliary. Those who work for St. Elizabeth Hospital on a contractual basis will be provided medications for themselves and their immediate household if they are scheduled to work between 8:00 a.m. on February 28, 2012 and 11:30 a.m. on February 28, 2012.
We are making every attempt to ensure the health and well being of our team members and their immediate family members. Medications for family members who do NOT reside in your home will be available through your local parish infrastructure. Please monitor local television and radio stations and Emergency Broadcasting System alerts for information on the nearest medication distribution site for the public.
Picking up Your Supply of Medications
• Team members will collect medications for themselves and members of their immediate households.
• A valid St. Elizabeth Hospital ID badge will be required to receive your medications.
• You will be required to sign a liability waiver before receiving medications. You will receive information regarding possible side effects and interactions of the medication at the time of pick up.
If you are scheduled to work
• We need to ensure adequate staffing to care for our patients during this crisis while protecting the health of our team members, therefore, those scheduled to work between February 28, 2012 and March 1, 2012 will have prophylaxis medication provided to them before the medication distribution center is opened.
• Anyone scheduled to workon February 28, 2012 should report to work as scheduled. If you are exhibiting two or more of the following symptoms, you should notify your supervisor and obtain clearance before reporting to work.
If you or members of your family are exhibiting two or more of the following symptoms, see your family physician and DO NOT report to the distribution center:
o Fever
o Fatigue
o Dry hacking cough
o Productive cough (coughing up phlegm and/or blood)
o Headache
o Vomiting
For team members who are NOT scheduled to work
• Except in the event of an emergency, you and members of your household should remain home in order to reduce chances of exposure.
• Continue to monitor this website, local television, radio, and Emergency Broadcasting System alerts for additional information.
• Be on standby should the hospital need you to come to work.
