December 13, 2004
Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt Trains For Radiation Response
DeWitt, IA - The staffs of Genesis Health System hospitals must imagine the unimaginable when they receive training for radiation-related incidents.
Genesis Medical Center's East Rusholme Street campus in Davenport and Illini Campus in Silvis have already been accredited to treat individuals exposed to radiation. Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt Campus is in the process of also being accredited as a response hospital for Clinton County.
The staff at Genesis DeWitt has gone through the classroom and emergency room training managed by Exelon Corporation, the Illinois-based energy generating company. In 2005, the DeWitt staff members who have been trained to respond to radiation exposure will have their first drill.
DeWitt's first "Gamma Drill" will be evaluated by employees of Exelon and trained representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Following the drill, evaluators will meet with Genesis DeWitt staff about their response. The drills are designed to simulate an actual radiation exposure event.
Mike Helle, trauma and disaster coordinator for Genesis DeWitt, said the training complements other disaster trainings and plans already in place.
"There are some similarities with bioterrorism training and we thought it was important for the communities we serve to get this training," Helle said. "If there was an event and people in Clinton County were affected, they could be brought to Genesis DeWitt and not have to be transported to Genesis East Rusholme Street or Genesis Illini campus depending on the seriousness of the injuries. We would be able to meet the needs of Clinton County."
The preparation at Genesis DeWitt would allow quicker treatment of a person who was contaminated by radiation in areas served by the hospital. In the present plan, a Clinton County resident would be transported to Genesis East Rusholme, or to Illini in Silvis.
Helle said Genesis DeWitt will have the advantage of utilizing written policies and standard procedures already in place at Genesis East Rusholme Street and Genesis Illini Campus.
Bill Stoermer, spokesman for Exelon at the Quad-Cities Generating Station in Cordova, Ill., said that once hospital staffs have been trained in the classroom and in the Emergency Room, it is critical that they be drilled on a regular basis. Stoermer said, "You don't want an actual event to be the first time your staff has all been together in this situation. With Genesis DeWitt being trained, it will be a great asset for Clinton County. We're excited about them coming on board with training."
Exelon's emergency plan for its own employees is that an employee contaminated by radiation would be treated at Genesis Illini Campus in Silvis.
