With the coronavirus continuing to spread around the world it's a good time to check up on protocols and get some practice responding.
While routine the timing of these drills comes as a surprise to hospital staff, they try to make the scenarios as realistic as possible. Tuesday's drill was about responding to an infectious disease outbreak.
Even though training wasn't for the coronavirus only, the tools they use for any airborne virus are the same.
They say, they just want to make sure they are always ready.
“We learn something every time we do preparedness but overall the team did great, it’s a no notice so we want to practice like the patient just arrived because that’s how it happens in real world,” says Amy McCombs, Director of Infection Prevention and Emergency Management at Renown.
The drills happen every three months. Staff used personal protection equipment -- that means a respirator and a suit from head to toes. They're also standing in a negative pressure isolation room. The room keeps germs from entering common airflow and infecting other people. That helps protect patients and staff. Along with all the fancy tools, simple tricks can help you against any type of virus.
“We were taught years ago to cover your mouth when you cough but it’s really cough into your elbow that will protect your hands from getting contaminated and touching other things,” says McCombs.
