CVH nursing staff attends training

Five members of the Clearwater Valley Hospital nursing staff attended a disaster training session in Lewiston in late April.

The focus of the training was to provide information on and experience with the MASH style unit available through Walter Knox Hospital in Emmett.

"The portable structure, equipment and trained personnel can be ready to embark from Boise with 30 minutes notice," said Sue Higgins, CVHC Director of Nursing Services. "Their jet departs from Gowen Field and flies to wherever the man-made or natural disaster occurs within this region. Their staff then works with local emergency personnel to perform triage and begin treating victims of the disaster."

The two-day training occurred on the grounds of Lewis-Clark State College. The first day of training involved a table top exercise simulating an anthrax contamination. The 100 participants gathered in small groups to brainstorm procedures that would be used to address the situation. On the second day of the training, a large explosion was simulated with multiple victims. The participants had to triage the victims who were portrayed by LCSC nursing students, put them through the hazardous materials decontamination unit and begin treating their wounds.

"It is reassuring to have this MASH style unit so readily available to our area," said Higgins. "They are highly trained professionals who are currently training other medical personnel and teaching them various emergency protocols. Our Emergency Department periodically conducts disaster drills to practice and hone our skills, but having this outside resource in case we ever need it, is an excellent back up."

CVHC nursing staff attending the training included: Higgins, Tim Norton, RN; Denise Struhs, RN; Sue Bonnalie, RN and Heather Mullkin, CNA.

Photo: Sue Bonnalie, RN, Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics helps Denise Struhs, RN, with her hazmat gear while Tim Norton, RN, adjusts his. Heather Mullkin, CNA, observes. They attended a two-day disaster training exercise at Lewis-Clark State College with the MASH-like unit from Walter Knox Hospital, Emmett.