Emergency Preparedness

A bird flu virus mutates into a strain that is easily transmitted from human to human . . . Commuters succumb to toxic gas in the subway. . . an unknown substance filters through the ventilation system at grand central station . . . As these unimaginable events turn into realities, questions are asked . . .

Who will provide care for the thousands who become victims of these catastrophic events?
Where will they go? What measures will be taken?
How much time will lapse before the public is assured of health risk containment?

While no-one can forecast when a catastrophic event will occur or what looming threats will follow, the City's public hospitals must be ready to respond quickly and efficiently.

Our facilities would inevitably be primary receiving hospitals during a terrorist event or any other natural or manmade disaster. While each HHC facility has a written emergency response plan in place and has participated in exercises to test plans and standard operating procedures, we need the medical equipment and appropriate internal infrastructure to handle the large influx of patients that would likely result.

HHC FACILITIES REQUIRE ADEQUATE SURGE CAPACITY CAPABILITY,
AND PROTECTION

Surge Capacity. Without adequate surge capacity, hospitals risk having too many patients and too few healthcare workers and empty rooms to permit isolation of infected patients in the event of a widespread medical disaster.
Capability. Without the capability and training for rapid threat detection and diagnosis, a lack of speed and clear direction on disease containment can result.
Protection. Without protection such as an enhanced surveillance system to permit rapid identification of a target population for an occurring biological attack, any post-attack response will be compromised.

Emergency Preparedness

HHC FACILITIES REQUIRE ADEQUATE SURGE CAPACITY CAPABILITY, AND PROTECTION

HHC FACILITIES REQUIRE ADEQUATE SURGE CAPACITY CAPABILITY,
AND PROTECTION