It's a sight no one ever wants to see in the halls of a hospital. However, The Hamilton County SWAT team ran through Parkridge East Hospital Thursday afternoon, all to practice their responding skills.
Dale Solomon, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Emergency Department Director at Parkridge East Hospital said, "Basically we are going to have a disgruntled family member that ends up shooting some individuals in the waiting area and barricades themselves in the ICU." The Hamilton County SWAT team, EMS, Police Officers and hospital staff all worked together during this scenario to better develop their emergency program.
Tammie Crowder, a RN said she was very proud of all the teams that participated. Crowder said, "One of the great things that come from a drill is that you get a sense of your status, and you get to see those opportunities for improvement and as well as get a good sense in where you stand." Plans have been in place for situations that may occur and drills like the ones performed help the staff tremendously. Crowder said, "You can't help but get emotionally involved in and have a burning desire to make sure that your plans are going to work. We have plans, but if we don't drill them we don't now if they are going to work."
Christine Wilkinson is a nurse who was barricaded in the room with the shooter and says she learned a great deal from the practice. Wilkinson said, "I thought through the process on how I could slow him down and give someone time to call the police, but it was a great learning experience."
All Hospitals around the area coordinate together to share scenarios and become better prepared. The coordinators will fine tune the events for evaluation. The live simulation did not interfere with any patients in the facility in any way.
