December 24, 2004—A 50-bed Disaster Medical Facility was recently assembled and equipped at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, as the first test in the nation’s capital of a portable, rapid-response hospital for use after terrorist attack or natural disaster. Federal, state, and regional government preparedness officials visited the site to evaluate the concept.
BLU-MED Response Systems developed the grid of blue-and-white fabric structures as the civilian version of a portable hospital that has been field proven by the United States Air Force. Parent company Alaska Structures provides medical shelters to the US military.
Hospital capacity is considered a critical element of homeland security. “Most communities throughout America are unprepared for a sudden influx of patients. This makes it a priority to examine the use of transportable facilities on a regional basis to augment hospital capacity,” according to Mike Wyrick, executive director, Northern Virginia Hospital Alliance. “This approach could augment capacity at a hospital, at an incident scene, or at another predetermined location.”
The six-wing Disaster Medical Facility assembled at RFK Stadium could accommodate up to 50 patient beds, or be used for a variety of advanced medical care functions. For the demonstration, sections of the hospital were equipped for patient triage, emergency room/trauma, intensive care, inpatient care, and immunization.
The entire hospital, including such sophisticated equipment as field-proven patient monitors, IV pumps, and ventilators, was delivered on a single flatbed truck. In regional or community applications, it would be pulled from storage and made fully operational within 24 hours of a disaster.
A key feature of the hospital is that the structure is durable to survive weather and years of use, if needed. The modular design allows unlimited expansion to house more patients or additional medical services.
The standard BLU-MED structure includes air conditioning, basic lighting, and electrical distribution. Depending on community needs, the company can also provide the hospital as a turn-key, customized package, including all medical equipment.
For more information visit BLU-MED Response Systems.
