Disaster simulation to test efficacy of healthcare workers

TORONTO, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Are Ontario's hospitals prepared for a widespread chemical or biological disaster that could disrupt a major city and overwhelm the healthcare system?

On Saturday, March 31, a realistic simulation exercise will test the ability of healthcare and emergency response workers to deal with a fictional threat to hospital resources. The emergency scenario is intended to show healthcare professionals how to manage the effects of a disaster, as well as demonstrate how college students can be utilized to staff clinics for non-urgent patients.

The simulation is a component of the chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) research and technology initiative (CRTI), part of the government of Canada's comprehensive public security and anti-terrorism strategy. Participants will include volunteer physicians and nursing and social work staff from a variety of hospitals: Lakeridge Health, Sunnybrook, Toronto East General, St. Michael's and the University Health Network.

The Morningside campus of Centennial College will function as a simulated hospital for the live exercise. Students will role-play as well as work as non-urgent clinic personnel. Students from Centennial's paramedic, BScN, practical nursing, journalism, police foundations and social work programs, along with University of Toronto medicine students, will be working alongside healthcare professionals in this chillingly realistic simulation.

Media are invited to witness this unique exercise and speak with participants.

Date:	Saturday, March 31
Time:	9:45 am to 12:30 pm for the live exercise
Location:	Centennial College, Morningside Campus 755 Morningside Ave. at Ellesmere (just south of Hwy 401), Scarborough ON

 

 

Media contact: Mark Toljagic, Communications Officer, Centennial College, 416-289-5000, ext. 7142 or 416-605-6012/[email protected]