9:30am | Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach were recently recognized for its outstanding Trauma/Burn Surge Program by the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), U.S. Department of Health & Human Service and the Los Angeles County EMS Agency. The Trauma/Burn Surge Program ensures Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s are prepared for a disaster situation such as an earthquake, fire or any mass casualty crisis when a surge of patients will seek care at the hospital. The Trauma/Burn Surge Program is part of the comprehensive disaster program at Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s. The hospital also participates as a Disaster Resource Center (DRC) as part of the Hospital Preparedness Program.
“It is an honor to be chosen by the LA County EMS Agency to represent the Trauma/Burn Surge Programs for LA County hospitals” says Desiree Thomas, R.N., MSN, trauma educator/disaster surge coordinator. “We’re really proud of the programs and practices put in place to be a leading program in L.A.”
The community agencies that evaluated the Trauma/Burn Surge Program at Long Beach Memorial were impressed by its comprehensive backup system in place for disaster situations. Supplies will be automatically deployed in a trauma/disaster surge. Paper medical forms and charts are on-hand if electronic systems go down, along with easy clinical staff response guidelines, with different instruction cards for each role. Also, the physical disaster task force is consistently trained and in-house individuals are designated to make decisions, when the usual communication systems are non-functional. The program is designed to be comprehensive and is continually evaluated, improved and refined to maintain and further the goal of continual readiness.
The Trauma/Burn Surge Program stands apart and includes many unique components such as extensive drills, practice, education and progressive equipment. Community agencies also got a chance to tour the blood bank and the state-of-the-art preparedness equipment Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s houses. HPP funds have been used to purchase important equipment to be used in patient care after a disaster. The funds have also been utilized to create roles that develop and hone the program, which includes an extensive number of educational offerings for physicians, nurses, and other support staff.
Thomas emphasizes the goal to educate and train everyday for trauma/disaster surge. “If preparedness is learned and ingrained in everyday situations, staff will be prepared in a disaster situation,” says Thomas.