May 28, 2004

Hazmat drill prepares MGH

In preparation for a possible emergency associated with the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC), which will be held at the Fleet Center this summer, the MGH conducted a hazardous materials decontamination drill on May 23. Complete with mock victims and hospital staff — including the newly formed Hazmat Decontamination Team — the drill was conducted to maximize the hospital's ability to efficiently handle a nuclear, chemical or biological disaster in a timely and efficient manner.

In addition to staff training, the drill also highlighted the hospital's mobile Mass Decontamination Unit (MDU). The MDU is a portable tent designed to be used during a disaster involving contaminating agents. It serves as a decontamination shower for both ambulatory and nonambulatory patients. Use of the unit helps protect employees and patients inside the hospital from potential exposure to contamination from harmful agents.

"This was our first opportunity to exercise the hospital's new Hazmat response plan, which involves the Hazmat Decon Team and staff from many other departments," says Julia Gabaldon, the MGH emergency management coordinator. "It also was our first opportunity to work directly with Boston Fire Department's Special Operations Group, which would respond to the MGH in case of such an incident. We appreciated the coaching provided to our team by Boston Fire."

The Hazmat Decon Team — which is just one component of the hospital's overall response effort — is comprised of clinical and nonclinical staff from around the institution, including administrators, nurses and physicians, researchers, social workers, laboratory technicians and numerous others who have volunteered to participate in the hospital's Hazmat response efforts. The team has undergone intensive training with Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to prepare for this contingency and continues to train and drill on this key component of the overall response. Another drill is scheduled to take place this summer.

The Hazmat Decon Team is a key component of the hospital's Hazmat response effort. The overall response effort includes: Police & Security, Buildings & Grounds, Environmental Health & Safety, Radiation Safety, Environmental Services and the Emergency Department. Other departments participating in Sunday's drill included Materials Management, Ambulatory Care Services and Volunteer Services.

In addition to the Boston Fire Department, officials from the Boston Metropolitan Medical Response System and EMS, Boston Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency were on hand to observe the drill.