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USNH Okinawa First Overseas MTF to Perform Bed Expansion Drill

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030428-25
Release Date: 4/28/2003 5:28:00 PM

By Lt. Willie Brown, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- After more than a year of careful planning and preparations, U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Okinawa became the first overseas Navy Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) to execute a real world contingency plan for a bed expansion exercise.

The exercise, known as BEDEX, is designed to give MTFs a snap-shop of their true readiness to handle more patients as they expand their wards in the event of a real world contingency.

Most facilities rely on their paper planning and do not take the extra step to see if it all comes together in the event of an emergency.

According to USNH Okinawa's BEDEX coordinators, the exercise had four major goals. First, to ensure the expansion drill beds were operational; to define time constraints on and expand to 156 beds; and to determine if there would be staffing and supply shortfalls. Finally, staff was afforded the experience of working with additional beds in place.

The exercise provided familiarity for both nursing and staff personnel.

Team Okinawa discovered that in order to achieve an effective readiness status for any BEDEX, several factors must be considered.

Preparation and an excellent plan of action should include a schedule for each event, check-off and supply list. A current recall roster on hand of all BEDEX personnel is invaluable to locating the appropriate personnel in a timely manner. Ensure vehicles are safe to operate, and drivers are briefed on primary and alternate routes of travel. However, the most important lesson learned was the value of teamwork. Certify the Personal Protective Equipment is readily available and properly worn by all necessary personnel.

USNH Okinawa successfully deployed approximately 100 beds from their warehouses into the hospital in less than 6 hours. Additionally, Team Okinawa gathered that it had significantly more capability than originally planned and that their staffing models were fairly accurate.

"We learned a lot from this exercise, but I believe that the single most important lesson was communicate clearly and often," said Chief Hospital Corpsman (AW/FMF) Lee M. Walker, drill co-coordinator. "It is easy to assume that a group of people assigned to a task will find a way to complete it, but it is an entirely different thing to see that task completed with teamwork and cooperation, and that is what good communication gives you-- teamwork and cooperation."

Through that teamwork, innovation and professionalism, team Okinawa discovered their capability. The hospital's next goal is to incorporate the BEDEX drill into their emergency preparedness drills. While there is always room for improvement, Team Okinawa is confident that it is prepared to handle any medical emergencies that would call for bed expansion.