Page 2198 - Week 06 - Thursday, 8 June 2017
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(9) Are drill de-briefs held.
(10) Are improvements made to procedures as a result of evacuation drills.
(11) When was the last procedural improvement made and what was it.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) There are a number of different emergency response codes used throughout Canberra Hospital consistent with the Australian Standards Australian Standard 4083‐2010 Planning for emergencies ‐ Health care facilities and the Emergencies Act 2004 and form part of the business as usual operations. Canberra Hospital has a detailed Emergency Response framework in place.
(2) The Canberra Hospital Code Orange Emergency Response Plan describes the method for evacuating patients, relatives, visitors and staff from the Canberra Hospital and how to return to normal business following such an emergency.
(3) An Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) is in place at Canberra Hospital. Positions within the ECO consist of Zone, Floor, House and Chief Wardens. The role of each warden is described within the Canberra Hospital Code Orange Emergency Response Plan.
Any ACT Health employee may assist in the evacuation of staff and patients. Depending on the type and extent of the incident, evacuation may be supported by ACT Fire & Rescue and other ACT Government Directorates.
(4) Evacuation of an area or building within Canberra Hospital may be prompted by many events, including any other event that presents an immediate risk to the health and safety of staff, patients and visitors.
At any time a staff team leader may instigate the movement of staff and patients to a safe area and await instructions. The decision to conduct an evacuation of a floor can be made by the Floor Warden or person in charge facing that particular emergency. The authority to order a building evacuation rests with the Hospital Commander or the recognised delegate or under direction from ACT Fire & Rescue or AFP.
(5) Canberra Hospital Code Orange Emergency Response Plan is centered on Horizontal evacuation and not evacuating a Patient Care building unless all internal provisions have been exhausted. Patient Care buildings are constructed with fire compartments. Horizontal evacuation is the evacuation from one fire compartment where the fire originates to an adjoining compartment on the same floor. Each fire compartments provides 120 minutes of refuge from a fire. The occupants may remain there until the fire is dealt with or await further evacuation to another similar adjoining compartment or down the nearest stairway.
This procedure provides time for non-ambulant and partially ambulant patients to be evacuated down stairways, and for ACT Fire & Rescue to respond and take necessary action.
Should it become necessary to evacuate an entire floor, ACT Fire & Rescue personal will assist with the evacuation of non ambulant patients in coordination with clinical staff.
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