wchc

Seven Iowa hospitals, including Washington County Hospital and Clinics, took part in a disaster drill. The scenario presented at the table top exercise included an outside threat to WCHC that would cause the hospital to evacuate the entire facility within 90 minutes. According to WCHC, “During the scenario hospital staff took the necessary steps to respond to the threat and begin the process for evacuation. Practicing in real time and during regular operating hours allowed staff to engage in all processes that will occur in real life emergencies.” Such drills are conducted to prepare staff in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation. During the drill no patients were evacuated, but they may have seen aspects of it being practiced as staff from each department reported to the incident command center and messages were delivered over the intercom system.