News Details

Middlesex Hospital Participating in Drill

July 27, 2007

Middlesex Hospital is participating in a DRILL with city and state agencies. The drill is to test multi-agency response to pandemic flu.
Important Phone Numbers: FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES Middletown Joint Information Center: 860-344- FOR OTHER QUESTIONS: Middlesex Hospital Public Relations: 860-358-6387
Middlesex Hospital Patient Information: 860-358-6720
Middlesex Hospital Main Switchboard: 860-358-6000

Pandemic Flu Drill Today’s drill is being held to test the capabilities of the Hospital and our local communities to respond to a pandemic flu emergency and to effectively and rapidly inform the public about what steps they should take for themselves and their families. Only by staying informed and working together in a cooperative way can we, as a healthcare system, effectively deal with such an extremely serious public health emergency.

To The Members of Our Community: For more information about preparing for a pandemic flu outbreak, go to www.getreadyforflu.org.

Background

Over the past several years the world has become increasingly concerned about the likelihood of a pandemic influenza virus circulating around the globe. What exact influenza strain will be responsible for the next pandemic is unknown at this time, and exactly when the pandemic will occur also remains unknown. In light of these concerns Middlesex Health System (along with all other healthcare systems throughout the country) is developing a comprehensive local plan to effectively deal with what is likely to be a true global infectious disease emergency.
Why should MHS be concerned about this? Most experts agree that the world is overdue for a serious influenza pandemic, and in light of recent experiences with natural disaster emergencies in our country we must assume that each local community will be, in large part, left to “fend for itself” during a serious public health emergency. Thus a comprehensive, well organized, and thoughtful plan is necessary in order for Middlesex Health System to be adequately prepared. Although it is not unlikely we will be receiving supplies, assistance, and direction from our state health department and from the federal government, it will undoubtedly be in our best interest to be able to fully support ourselves during the first few days of a pandemic as it spreads throughout our region.
In addition, keeping the hospital and our free-standing emergency departments “open for business” without being overwhelmed with patients who may not need hospitalization will also be a major challenge.

THIS IS FOR THE DRILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9:26 AM

MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL HAS RECEIVED PATIENTS WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS.

PATIENTS ARE CURRENTLY AT MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. THEY ARE BEING ISOLOATED POD C. 4 PATIENTS ARE CURRENTLY AT OUR MARLBOROUGH MEDICAL CENTER.

A screening center has been established at the Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Center, located at 534 Saybrook Road. Patients who able to walk or drive, and who have these symptoms, should go there first.

The Emergency Departments will remain open for ambulance patients

FOR THOSE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE HOSPITAL, CALL 358-6765 FOR MORE INFORMATION. FOR THOSE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT CENTER, CALL 358-8760.

A FAMILY CENTER HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE WILCOX CONFERENCE ROOM. PATIENT INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 358-6765, AND ASK FOR A SOCIAL WORKER.

NEWS MEDIA ARE ASKED TO LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH CALL BACK NUMBER AT (860) 358-6387. WE WILL RESPOND TO ALL NEWS MEDIA INQUIRIES AS SOON AS WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

Contact Information

Middlesex Hospital Public Relations
860-358-6387