The Scenario
The evening news reports that San Francisco hospitals are experiencing an abnormal influx of patients with flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Soon thereafter one person dies and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) makes a preliminary diagnosis of bacillus anthracis (anthrax) exposure. Hospitals throughout the country are advised to review their bioterrorism response plans. Twenty-four hours later, national media services announce that the city is the victim of bioterrorism.
The Challenges
Triage Experts Needed. Hospital emergency departments are rapidly overwhelmed with panicked people who believe they are infected. Facilities scramble to locate experts who can advise them how to quickly differentiate anthrax exposure from cold or flu symptoms.
Slow Notification Process. Bay Area hospitals move to activate their paper-based Incident Command System (ICS), but outdated chain of command and contact information slows notification.
Regional Bed Availability Unknown. Emergency Coordinators from affected hospitals make repeated calls to the same hospitals hunting for available beds, isolation facilities, respirators and other critical supplies, delaying the arrival of equipment and degrading patient care.
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