Pete Kara1
1Nelson Marlborough, Nelson, New Zealand
Abstract:
What happens when a situation or incident arises in a hospital that affects the life preservation pathway as a result of a planned or unplanned infrastructure or equipment issue?
In these situations, there is normally a Hospital Incident Response plan or a business continuity plan that has been developed based on the principles and requirements outlined in the National Health Emergency plan.
Emergency Management within Health is responsible for ensuring that not only are these plans in place but also to be involved in the planning for specific planned events and incidents that will impact this delivery
Recently Wairau Hospital in Blenheim underwent a major CT scanner upgrade which required the existing scanner be removed and the new one installed, meaning a 4- 5 week period with no Clinical CT scanning available in Blenheim. With no other CT available in Blenheim the only options were scanning in Nelson or Wellington both a considerable distance away
Solution – use of a dedicated Aeromedical retrieval team based in Nelson to transfer CT patients seamlessly and efficiently to and from Blenheim maintaining a critical care pathway, without disrupting the mainstream critical care response network.
The planning for this event serves as a reminder of how important it is to maintain good working relationships and planning with the air retrieval teams and organisations for not only maintaining critical services but also how a good BAU process will transfer into effective crisis response in a major incident.
“He eke waka noa “ We are all in this Waka together, heading in the same direction.
Biographies:
Emergency Management District lead Nelson Marlborough
– Former NZ Defence ( Paramedic)
– Former UN Weapons Inspector Chemical Weapons)
– Current EM District lead Emergency Management Health NZ Nelson Marlborough
– Current member WADEM
– Member Mass Gathering Collaboration ( Strategic Advisory Network ) Australia/NZ
– Research interest Mass Gatherings, Outdoor music festivals ( published research)
– Member Coastguard NZ as advisory member Te Puhara Mana Iwi
– Current Chair Water safety NZ
– Member Huanga Aro Rau Workforce Development Council -Advisory group member
Married 5 tamariki, 11 moko live in Whakatū ( Nelson) . Hobbies: fishing, kayaking Mountain biking, Tramping, Swimming.
Weird fact: Noble Peace Prize certificate – 2013 OPCW (for international Disarmament work)