
January 6, 2025
STANLEY – Emergency departments can experience relatively uneventful days before suddenly experiencing a high-pressure test of coordination, medical expertise and teamwork when larger scale or “mass casualty” events occur.
Aspirus Stanley Hospital and Clinic recently held a planned mass casualty training exercise featuring EMS units from Stanley, Boyd, Thorp and Owen-Withee.
Anne Sadowska, chief administrative officer, said the scenario covered a workplace incident at WB Manufacturing in Thorp wherein 11 simulated patients – each with different injuries and medical needs – were to be triaged, treated and transported as part of a complex drill aimed at testing the hospital and community EMS partners readiness for a real disaster.
RN Spencer Hager said each patient was assigned to a team of doctors and nurses, while others began to prepare for what could be a stream of patients.
“During a mass casualty exercise, one of the things we test is our ability to ensure that the most critically injured are seen first, while those with less severe injuries are quickly triaged and placed in appropriate treatment areas for more targeted care,” Hager said.
He said as the exercise progressed, it became clear the hospital’s ability to work together in the face of unknown challenges was the real test as emergency medical teams, paramedics who transported patients and support staff all contributed skills to keep the operation running smoothly.
Outside the Emergency Department, Sadowska said the incident command center was ready to provide further coordination with EMS units and other hospitals while preparing for potential evacuations or patient transfers if the situation worsened.
“This was an important event for Aspirus Stanley Hospital to coordinate with the support of our community EMS partners,” she said. “We received valuable information on what went well and areas for improvement. Real-life events like this can be intense, but through it all, the teamwork was exceptional.”
The exercise was not just a drill, Sadowska said – it was also a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mass casualty events.
She said the lessons learned can be carried forward, helping ensure that these vital community-based services are ready for whatever real disaster might come next.