Disaster Drill Prepares USNH Okinawa for Mass Casualty

0 Comments | US Navy Press Releases, Apr 04, 2003

. Disaster Drill Prepares USNH Okinawa for Mass Casualty

By Amanda Woodhead, Naval Hospital Okinawa Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Okinawa participated in a mock disaster aimed to train hospital staff how to react in the event a true mass casualty occurred.

Members of the hospital's moulage team decorated 43 volunteer patients to appear to have injuries in an effort to create a realistic sense for caregivers at the scene and at the hospital. When the team completed the transformation of regular people to synthetic victims of a mass casualty, the drill began.

Shortly after the announcement to commence the exercise, a mock car bomb allegedly exploded at the commissary of a nearby military base. A cloud of green smoke, potentially chemicals, filled the air as "victims" could be heard moaning and screaming for help.

The most severely wounded were immediately transported to USNH Okinawa where they would be triaged and treated.

The hospital was transformed to emergency care, delayed care and minimum care. Each department was given "patients" and nurtured them as they would in a real world event. The patients were guided through admissions, to X-ray, and back to their primary area of treatment precisely, as if there were no emergency. At 1 p.m., another declaration over the public address system proclaimed the area secure and for all hands to return to their sections.

Observing the disaster from a unique perspective were visitors from the local Japanese community. Ten people were aboard to learn how the United States is preparing in Okinawa for the prospect of a mass casualty circumstance.

Following the imitation disaster, the USNH Okinawa staff devoted the rest of the day to reviewing the simulation and tackling areas that could be improved in the future or in the event of a true mass casualty situation.

With hostilities worldwide rising, the staff at USNH Okinawa is devoted to maintaining a prepared position to any possible events.

For more information on Naval Hospital Okinawa, go to www.oki.med.navy.mil.