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A marching band's tour bus lies in a field after leaving Interstate 80 and crashing near Minden.
The bus, one of three used to carry the band members on their national summer tour, was eastbound on I-80 when it is believed a tire blew out, causing the bus to fall onto its driver’s side and slide off the road.
“On a Monday morning there are a lot of people here, a lot of departments, a lot of staff that were already here,” explained Marie Knedler, vice president and chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital and a member of the IHA Board. “Everyone jumped into the roles that were assigned to them. The incident command center was opened immediately and they responded just like we practiced.”
A “code triage” was called at Jennie Edmundson, alerting all staff to prep for the special duties assigned for such an event. An incident command led by Donna Hubbell, the hospital’s vice president of quality and patient safety, was immediately established in the administrative offices. Radios and other instructions were given at that time while approximately 50 employees from various departments were dispersed throughout the campus.
With the help of housekeeping, both hospitals’ emergency departments were quickly stocked with extra supplies, linens and beds while employees from admissions and other departments prepared to log and tag patients as they arrived. As security and engineering personnel finished clearing main entrances of extra vehicle traffic and redirected guests as they arrived on the campus, emergency vehicles carrying victims of the bus crash began arriving at around 8:45 a.m.
Medical director of the Mercy’s emergency department, Dr. Jeffrey Snyder, said everything went very smoothly: “We had anesthesia, we had four emergency providers, normally there would be one. We had two orthopeadic surgeons respond, a trauma surgeon, a family practitioner so plenty of physicians, multiple nurses so that every room had two nurses per room and multiple ancillary staff to take care of the patient load.”
As all of the patients seen at the hospitals were between the ages of 17 and 22 years old and were from all parts of the U.S., social workers and case managers assisted them with contacting their families and answering questions. Upon release, patients were escorted to the cafeteria and then a meeting room with TV and Internet access where food service provided them meals. By late morning, all 30 patients had been treated and released and they were then joined by their peers and continued their trip.
Connie Blietz, chief nursing executive for Mercy Hospital, said one of the lessons learned from this experience that she would offer to others is to put people on standby when you hear of an incident – it gives them time to get mentally ready before a code triage is even called. “I really am so proud of everyone. People took on assignments that they haven’t done before without question,” said Blietz. “We stayed focused and kept our patients in the center of our care – and not just for their physical needs but also their emotional and spiritual needs. We helped them get connected with their families. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – taking care of people.”
“Fortunately, the accident did not have more serious outcomes,” said Jennie Edmundson CEO Steve Baumert. “But as a hospital, it was gratifying to see the many hours our staff has dedicated to training and preparing for such an occurrence were well spent. Because of those efforts, the atmosphere that day had an overriding sense of professionalism, teamwork and assurance that clearly helped ease the fears of the patients.
“As we continue to review the details of that day, it will undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable teaching tool on how to prepare for and deal with future incidents.”
by Chris English on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Nancy Freybler, a Surgical Nurse with Van Diest Medical Center (Webster City, IA), gives the Iowa Hospital Association some insight into what a surgical nurse does, the camaraderie among nurses and what kind of person who becomes interested in this type of career.
For more information on health care careers in Iowa, click here.
(Watch this video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/tCqtgsiUntA)
by admin on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
IHA’s Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) has awarded $99,000 in scholarships to 33 college students from all parts of Iowa. The students, who are all studying in health care fields, will each receive $3,000 for the upcoming academic year and each is eligible for up to $6,000 in assistance from IHERF over two years.
Olivia Chapman receives her scholarship check from Martin Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System.
One of the recipients is Olivia Chapman, a nursing assistant at Orange City Area Health System who is working on her four-year nursing degree at Dordt College in Sioux Center.
“I have wanted to be a nurse since I was very young and I am very happy that I can finally see the finish line to this goal,” Chapman said. “Each day as I participate in clinical experiences as a nursing student I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to serve those in my community during their time of need. My long-term goal is to use the experience I gained in my first few years as a nurse and apply that knowledge in the field of surgical nursing. Your support will assist me in my efforts to obtain this degree and continue my career in health care.”
In exchange for financial support, scholarship-receiving students agree to work one year in an Iowa hospital for each year they receive an award. Including these latest awards, the scholarship program has provided $603,000 in direct support to students since its inception.
IHA staff, the IHERF Board, hospital leaders and IHA Auxilian/Volunteer Board members from throughout the state evaluated scholarship applications from more than 130 students, who were judged on grade-point average, a written personal statement, letters of reference, and extracurricular, community and health care-related activities.
This year’s recipients include nurses seeking both graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as students in physical therapy, occupational therapy, ultrasound technology and physician assistant programs.
by Kirk Norris on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The year 2010 will not be soon forgotten and the Iowa Hospital Association hopes this holiday greeting will help you to reflect on what was great about the past year as well as put a smile on your face.
IHA is thankful for the opportunity to represent Iowa’s 118 hospitals that are caring for the sick and healing the injured in the communities they serve each and every day of the year. Wishing the best to all members of IHA in 2011.
YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwR0AtmHrDg
Click here to download the PDF of the video’s poem.
by Chris English on Thursday, December 16, 2010
2010 was a busy year for the Iowa Hospital Association. All year, IHA has hosted a number of events and educational programs on behalf of hospital advocates from around the state such as Legislative Day and the IHERF Swinging for Scholars golf outing.
IHA also proudly promoted health care careers in Iowa and honored another year’s worth of Hospital Heroes at the 81st IHA Annual Meeting. IHA travelled to every district in the state to interact with members and celebrate the great work being accomplished every day.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-93WBZVN2o
