News University Medical Center Brackenridge Simulates Disaster

Level I Trauma Center Coordinates Wide-Ranging Disaster Preparedness Drill

AUSTIN, TX - (June 30, 2010) - After earning its official designation as a Level I Trauma Center in August 2009, the highest possible trauma designation, University Medical Center Brackenridge (UMCB), a member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, proved its strengthened ability to effectively respond to a disaster in the community.

As a Level I Trauma Center, UMCB has a special responsibility to the community to lead cooperative disaster response planning, medical management and related educational opportunities.

"The enhanced level of trauma care available at UMCB must be coordinated to handle the events that occur during a disaster?a surge of patients, first responders and the media. After decades of experience reacting to unforeseen emergencies, we know that drills are an effective way to gain this needed level of coordination," said Dr. Chris Ziebell, Medical Director, Emergency Department, UMCB.

Today, UMCB organized a live disaster drill to test and train staff on disaster preparedness. The scenario was two tornado touchdowns in Austin, leveling a warehouse used to store chemicals and damaging several structures. (Watch video footage from the drill.)

"Designed to challenge nurses, doctors and other technicians in a variety of ways, the drill provided staff with invaluable lessons should our community be unfortunate enough to suffer such an actual event," said Cindy Joy-McCoy, Director, Emergency Room, UMCB.

More than 40 volunteers participated in the drill as "victims," each prepared with a different scenario such as a missing child, wounds from falling objects or shortness of breath due to the chlorine fumes released from the warehouse.

Disaster drill victims were triaged under the helipad outside the Emergency Department at UMCB. The staff worked diligently to assess wide-ranging injuries and directed each victim to the appropriate triage area, including a decontamination shower line.

"We must be prepared to react to such an event, and one vital component of preparation is practice," said Dr. Carlos Brown, Medical Director, Trauma Services, Seton Family of Hospitals.