Citation

Augustine J, Schoettmer JT. Disaster Manage. Response 2005; 3(3): 68-72.

Affiliation

Emory University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. jaugust@emory.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.dmr.2005.05.005

PMID

15986026

Abstract

A credible bomb threat forced the complete evacuation of a rural community hospital. An Incident Command System was implemented, and all 46 patients were temporarily transported and maintained at 2 local sites. They were returned to the hospital approximately 24 hours later. Only one patient experienced a complication possibly associated with the evacuation. This article discusses pertinent strategies and considerations involved in the planning and execution of a rural hospital evacuation. It further highlights the role of the emergency department medical and nursing staff throughout the evacuation process.

Language: en