Maybe the last place to think of in terms of survival but maybe not.A few years back I was in the hospital for a few weeks.I was fully mobile and was there,not home,for insurance reasons.Anyway I noticed something in the hospital-no spinkler system.I mentioned this to one of the nurses-I didn't have a lot to occupy myself with,and was told in the event of a fire they move all the patients to one side of the hospital.The floor I was on had,for the most part,alot of non-mobile patients and especially at night looked to be under staffed.In the event of a major disaster(natural or man-made)hospitals could at the very least be secondary targets.Putting the whole first response program in the area in jeopardy and causing greater panic and/or casualties.During my stay I had very limited access to supplies(only what was in my wallet,on my keyring and in my pockets(flashlights,compass,etc)and do to parking restirctions a family member had taken my car home for me and picked me up.Of course,clothing was limited-although I did have a few changes of real clothes brought to me.Depending on the extent of the disaster a hospital may not be the place to be-but one can't pick their location in every instance.If you know you're going in for a stay,no matter how brief what do you think you'd bring along just in case the worst happens at the hospital after you're already there.Looking back I'd bring a backpack full of some essentials but obviouisly not all could be taken-the staff may even insist on seeing what I did bring.Can you be prepared for anything there or are you merely in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Preparing can only go so far. You are just trying to tip the odds in your favor. Sometimes, you're just screwed. You would be better off listening to your nurse's discharge instructions than wondering what to do if a tornado hit your hospital.

Only one thing worse than fire on a ship. That's fire in a Hospital. A real ugly scenario.

Dave

My sister has worked in a hospital for quite a few years now. Other than praise for (very) few of the doctors, some of the nurses, and a few support people, she has nothing good to say about it.

Management is based on your stupidity level. If you're off the top of the SC (Stupidity Chart), you're hired. Management doesn't want anyone who knows what they're doing, but they love the game players.

Submanagement consists of ineffective, frightened, easily bullied people, who aren't capable of deciding which color socks to wear today.

Personnel at night does seem to be very limited, from what I've seen personally and what my sister describes. Most of the crimes that take place within the hospital happen then.

If you're going to be relatively mobile (or could be, with proper incentive), I would ask immediately if there will be a place to put a briefcase, as you'd like to get a bit of work done if you feel up to it <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. Keep a cheap briefcase at home packed with your kit. Start with flashlights, several flashlights. A pry bar could be useful. Try to know where the various exits are.

I don't know about hospitals elsewhere, but the Providence system here on the west coast gets an F in almost every category. They're not places for sick people.

The local hospital had a fairly bad gas leak recently. The engineers decided that it wasn't bad enough to call a Code Yellow (Big Trouble). Some people were nearly passing out and vomiting from the gas, so they reluctantly told them to leave. They moved a few patients. The big 'cure' was to open some of the outside doors for ventilation. Someone with at least a partial brain finally called the fire department, which stationed trucks at each entrance.

One of the CYA managers sent a memo around the next day or so, saying that the gas leak was OUTSIDE the building and was not a danger to anyone inside (which, of course, was why they opened the outer doors: to let the gas IN). The whole memo was a coverup for incompetency.

And if you want to see the Marx Brothers mixing with the Three Stooges, attend one of their annual Disaster Drills. They really ARE a disaster. And they don't get any better.

And avoid the elevators at all costs: they're always breaking down.

Sue

Every hospital is going to be different in terms of how prepared they are to handle emergencies. As the Radiation Safety guy, I serve on our hospitals Emergency Management Committee. We routinely have drills for fires, weather, kidnappings, terrorism, you name it.

Most major hospitals are quite large (and getting bigger all the time). A fire in one area of the hospital is not necessarily an emergency in the others. Some hospitals are very capable of taking care of their patients. Others are not so prepared.

I can't think of many reasons why you couldn't bring a bag of some kind if you were an impatient, unless you were in an ICU or some such more restricted area. I would just bring what makes you feel more comfortable. And if the hospital doesn't even have sprinklers, pick a different one if you can.

Greg

Are you sure they didn't have any? Our hospitals have the hidden pop out kind.

I'm sorry your sister works in such a facility--it's a crime! I love my hospital, wouldn't think of working anywhere else. Not only is the sprinkler system _present_ and _functional_ <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, they keep food and water in the basement (where I work) to cover emergencies.

Would love to know what city you are refering to?

I'm referring to Oklahoma City--not sure where Sue's sister works :0

ducttape,

without a doubt,no sprinklers anywhere-I walked the entire hopsital-with only a few areas that I did not go(respect for fellow patients)and there was none.I can see a small fire being handled but a major disaster that actually hits at or around the hopsital would be more problematical I think. Great care at the hospital all other things considered and I wouldn't,If I was ever in for anything else,go to a different one-even with no sprinklers.I'd just go a little more prepared that's all.