O’Bleness takes steps to prepare for possible attacks

by Stephenie Steitzer

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth story in a five-part series looking at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital.

O’Bleness Memorial Hospital bought a mobile decontamination shower after Sept. 11, 2001, to increase its readiness for another terrorist attack, part of the hospital’s larger plan to improve its preparedness for an attack in Southeast Ohio.

Hospital President Rick Castrop said O’Bleness always had a plan to handle disasters such as bus and plane accidents, but now it is also preparing for nuclear and biological terrorism attacks.

“We’re smarter about all the likely agents that might be used,” Castrop said.

Hospitals across the country are receiving federal money to help improve their emergency preparedness plans, said Bret Atkins, Ohio Department of Health spokesman. Ohio will receive a total of $4.6 million, half of which will be given to hospitals, he said.

“They released money early this year to increase the preparedness of hospitals and health departments,” Atkins said.

He said he did not know how much money O’Bleness will receive because much of the $4.6 million has not been distributed yet.

Ohio Hospital Association spokeswoman Mary Yost said hospitals will use the money to increase their level of awareness of biological and chemical weapons. They will train staff and purchase equipment, such as the decontamination shower.

“There is increased activity with respect to what may prompt the need, but I think it’s still some of the same folks who have always had an interest in working together,” she said.

O’Bleness officials have sent several physicians to specialized training and has been working with the county to improve the regional plans for a disaster, Castrop said.

“The county is working together as a whole to become better prepared,” said Jill Harris, Athens County Emergency Management Agency director. “The work that the hospitals are doing is key for that.”

Harris said the county has put together a team of people to coordinate a disaster plan and also is focusing on training the team further and purchasing equipment to help handle an emergency situation.

The $4,000 decontamination shower was the first piece of equipment county emergency management officials believed should be available in Southeast Ohio, she said.

Castrop said while there is more of an effort to be prepared for a terrorist attack, hospitals are always trying to be ready for an emergency.

“Most of what we’ve done is our collective consciousness has been raised,” he said. “I think we’re as prepared as we know how to be.”