Hospitals struggle with mock bioterrorism attack
Emergency Management Alert, April 12, 2005
Many New Jersey hospitals struggled when forced to cope with staffing shortages last week during a statewide mock bioterrorism attack, reports to The Trentonian.
The $16 million, weeklong drill called "TOPOFF 3" simulated the spraying of deadly pneumonic plague launched from a sport utility vehicle to gauge how hospitals would react if a real attack hit U.S. soil.
The congressionally-ordered virtual bioterrorism attack had 130 victims and 42 deaths. The death count statewide was 5,961.
One major obstacle for hospitals was addressing staffing shortages. Part of the exercise mandated that all state borders be closed to try to contain the plague. But many of the hospital staff reside out of state.
Fatigue among hospital workers was also identified as a problem.
Also participating in "TOPOFF 3" was the state of Connecticut, which reported almost 200 mock deaths and 4,600 injured. Authorities there simulated a mustard gas attack.
Related Products
-
Hospital Safety Center
Improve compliance with hospital safety standards from The Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulators with this...
-
Healthcare Life Safety Compliance
Learn Life Safety Code tips and interpretations for healthcare facilities with this in-depth monthly resource.
-
Hospital Safety Connection
Stay on top of hospital safety requirements and best practices with our free, fast-paced weekly update.
-
Administering Your OSHA Program
This course will help an employee new to the role of OSHA safety officer. It gives an overview of OSHA requirements and...
-
Medical OSHA Manual Combo
Get into compliance with Quality America's OSHA Safety Program Manual and stay in compliance with OSHA Watch Newsletter...
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- HIPAA Q&A: Answering service messages
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- Q&A: Coding for dry skin due to cold weather
- Are your workforce members texting PHI?
- Topic: CMS, OESS post new security compliance review information, checklist
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Catch up on what's new with injections and infusions
- Privacy, security concerns high in HIEs
- E-mailed
-
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- HIPAA Q&A: Level of encryption needed for email
- HIPAA Q&A: Answering service messages
- Q&A: Coding for sepsis when other conditions are present
- Are your workforce members texting PHI?
- HIPAA Q&A: TPO disclosures to a business associate
- Q&A: Coding for dry skin due to cold weather
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- 2012 CPT code changes for ASCs: Shoulder and knee scopes and pain management
- Searched