Mock drill tests responders

Christus Ochsner St. Patrick had its mass casualty incident drill Tuesday, responding to a mock plane crash and fire at the Lake Charles Regional Airport.

Working alongside several state and local agencies, first responders and hospital staff used the Louisiana Emergency Response Network to treat injured passengers. A city transit bus brought several patients in full wound makeup to St. Patrick Hospital for treatment. Staff members wore a vest or jacket with a brightly-colored label that showed their official hospital title.

Scott Kyle, Christus regional manager of emergency management, said they strategically organize treatment plans with Louisiana Emergency Response Network officials, instead of throwing them together “haphazardly.” LERN personnel can provide first responders with up-to-date resources and route injured patients to the best facility for treatment.

Candice Thibodeaux, Christus clinical director of emergency services, said many volunteers rush to the aid of mass casualty victims. During a chaotic scenario, all responders have to be focused, she said.

“With the incidents of mass shootings and things that can happen with the petrochemical plants in the area, it’s very important for us to drill an influx of patients to see how far we can be taxed,” Thibodeaux said.

The drill brought in 20 patients to the emergency room within the hour, far more than the usual three to four patients an hour. Kyle said a mass casualty incident is defined as “one more patient than you can handle.”

Responders to a mass casualty incident also have to consider other circumstances, including the number of ER beds, staffing and whether a hospital is a trauma center, Kyle said. Because none of Southwest Louisiana’s hospitals are official trauma centers, Thibodeaux said drills are needed to make sure services are organized and patients are treated quickly.

“We must make sure that everyone, from our emergency department to our surgery department to outpatient, can function, literally, taxed to the max,” she said.

SportsPlus

Local News

Weekend thunderstorms followed by a mid-week cold front in the forecast

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: Free Valentine’s Day dental care

Local News

Landry, Murrill target New Orleans sanctuary policies in federal court

McNeese Sports

Cowboys take on struggling UNO

Local News

Ann Lagneaux teaches students to turn negative thoughts into positive ones

Local News

Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come

Local News

Unrestrained man killed in I-10 crash

McNeese Sports

Reyna, Chance lead Cowgirl comeback

Local News

Louisiana to end mass vaccine promotion

Business

Trump signs a plan for reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners

Local News

REAL ID enforcement date now just three months away

life

Several SW La. students honored at Northwestern State

Crime

Eight DeRidder High students arrested

Local News

Wicked weather this way comes on Saturday

Jim Gazzolo

Jim Gazzolo column: Garcia best Southland has to offer

McNeese Sports

Cowboys look for finishing kick

Crime

2/13: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

 BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as Trump’s secretary after close Senate vote

Local News

At Oak Park Elementary, no one eats alone

Local News

Candidate Fondel airs his views at forum

life

Gettin’ jiggy wit it — Irish dance style

Local News

Family fabric: Quilting exhibition offers insight to generations of storytelling, culture and artistry

life

McNeese president’s honor list announced for fall 2024 semester

life

Walls can talk: Artist says art is essence of humanity