Evacuation Planning for Hospitals and Medical Care Facilities

Every hospital administrator understands the importance of emergency preparedness, including a detailed evacuation plan. After all, providing quality care should encompass tending to the needs of patients during unforeseen events. With the Evacuation Slyde by DQE, non-ambulatory individuals can be transported to safety efficiently.

Slyde is an Essential Component of Your Evacuation Plan

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a hospital emergency. While medical facilities are certainly well-equipped to handle trauma and injury, it is important to also include a protocol for events that require evacuation, such as power outages, natural disasters, fires, or other emergencies.

In the event of an emergency situation, it can be challenging to transport patients quickly and effectively, especially in a high-volume clinic or hospital. Medical facilities have plenty of cots, beds, and wheelchairs at their disposal, but maneuvering this type of equipment in a debris-filled hallway can pose a threat to everyone involved.

Slyde can safely transport injured, immobile, or disabled patients, traversing effortlessly down stairs, over uneven surfaces, and even across rugged terrain. Crafted from corrugated polypropylene, Slyde is lightweight but incredibly durable. Our rescue sleds are available in two sizes: standard and bariatric. The standard Slyde can transport patients up to 400 pounds. The Bariatric Slyde can safely carry individuals up to 600 pounds. Because Slydes are foldable and stackable, they can be stored near other lifesaving equipment around the hospital for easy access.

Identify Specific Evacuation Needs

When emergency situations require large-scale evacuations, it is critically important to ensure you have the necessary equipment in appropriate quantities and locations. Purchasing evacuation chairs and other emergency devices can be expensive, but not having enough can prove catastrophic. Slyde is a more affordable evacuation device compared to many medical sleds on the market today. Our rescue sled has strong web handles that provide multi-point control, reducing strain on the operator. Attempting to lift or carry a disabled or immobile individual can result in further injury. Including Slyde in your evacuation planning can help preserve the well-being of both patients and hospital employees.

Implement an Emergency Response Team

Even with the best of intentions, many important aspects of evacuation planning can remain unnoticed. Unfortunately, oversights are often not identified until it is too late. One of the most crucial steps you can take in designing an effective evacuation plan is to build a crisis response team. Carefully select calm, level-headed staff members who will commit to emergency preparedness training. Assign specific responsibilities according to the needs of your facility to ensure patients and hospital employees are evacuated as safely and efficiently as possible. We find this can be effectively carried out by assigning four primary roles[1]:

• Point of Contact: This person should determine when an evacuation is required, and perform all necessary communication with emergency services.
• Coordinator: Once an evacuation is in effect, the coordinator should secure the premises, and check all rooms for people left behind.
• Head Counter: This person should be stationed outside to make sure all persons are accounted for.
• First Aid and Medical Attention: Multiple members of the staff should be trained in basic first aid and evacuation procedures. The people on this team would be responsible for assembling and implementing the use of Slyde for any immobile, non-ambulatory individuals.

Members of the emergency response team should undergo emergency training so they are well-prepared when the unforeseen happens. Additionally, frequent drills should be conducted so that protocols are second nature should a real emergency arise.

Learn More about the Evacuation Slyde

Consider how Slyde can help you prepare for emergency evacuations and give you peace of mind should the unexpected occur. To find out more information, you can visit our online resource center.

[1] https://safetymanagement.eku.edu/resources/articles/the-importance-of-having-an-evacuation-plan/