(Stanley, WI)- Hospital emergency departments can have uneventful days , but they can quickly turn into a high-pressure test of coordination, medical expertise, and teamwork when larger scale or “mass casualty” events occur.
Aspirus Stanley Hospital and Clinic held a planned mass casualty training exercise on Tuesday, December 10. Local EMS units from Stanley, Boyd, Thorp and Owen-Withee also took part in the exercise which the hospital had been preparing for weeks.
The scenario was set: a workplace incident at WB Manufacturing in Thorp. Eleven 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.
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,” said Spencer Hager, RN, Aspirus Stanley Hospital.
As the exercise progressed, it became clear that the hospital’s ability to work together in the face of unknown challenges was the real test. Emergency medical teams, paramedics who transported patients, as well as support staff all contributed their unique skills to keep the operation running smoothly. Outside the Emergency Department , the incident command center was ready to provide further coordination with EMS units, other hospitals and 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,” said Anne Sadowska, Chief Administrative Officer. “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; it was also a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mass casualty events. It showcased Aspirus Stanley’s strengths—its preparation, its ability to adapt under pressure, and the invaluable coordination among all staff and community EMS partners. The lessons learned can be carried forward, helping ensure that these vital community-based services are ready for whatever real disaster might come next.
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About Aspirus: Aspirus Health is a nonprofit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin, serving northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The health system operates 18 hospitals and 130 outpatient locations with nearly 14,000 team members, including 1,300 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Learn more at aspirus.org.