VALPARAISO | Just about the only things missing from Porter Health System's unveiling of its new mobile "surge" hospital Friday were Hawkeye Pierce and "Hot Lips" Houlihan.

The 22' by 42' inflatable self-contained unit on display outside the Valparaiso hospital is designed to handle an extra surge of patients in emergencies and comes equipped with its own heating and cooling system, electric generators, lighting, and beds.

The unit can be used in cases of damage or over-capacity at area hospitals or can be taken on the road to disaster scenes, said Gary Atherton, Porter's director of emergency medical services.

It can be zipped directly to the hospital's decontamination tents in hazardous materials situations or could become a triage center if the H1N1 flu virus became a widespread problem, Atherton said.

It could also see duty as a portable immunization or blood drive center, he said.

The portable facility, the first of its kind in Northwest Indiana, was manufactured by ZUMRO of Hatboro, Penn. Similar hospitals have been used in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

The unit can be inflated in eight to ten minutes and can be made operational in about 20 to 30 minutes, Atherton said. Once up, it can run on its generator for about eight hours, he said.

The large mustard-colored tent can be zipped directly to the hospital's decontamination tents to provide privacy and a holding area for persons coming out of decontamination. Sixteen patient bays are created by hanging vinyl curtains

Porter acquired the $130,000 unit in August with the help of Health and Human Services grant money. Engineering department personnel will train staff in setting up and using the facility. The hospital will organize trainings with outside emergency services personnel as well, Atherton said.

The tent, beds and other equipment break down and store in a 26-foot trailer, which will be transported by a hospital maintenance pick-up truck.

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Porter hospital in Valpo unveils its Zumro inflatable mobile "surge" hospital, a self-contained unit, designed to handle an extra "surge" of patients in the event of emergency. It is complete with its own heating and cooling system, electric generators, lighting, and beds. Porter's Surge Hospital measures 21 feet by 42 feet and can be transported on a 26-foot trailer. It sets up quickly on any flat ground and comes equipped with 20 fold-up hospital beds. With PHOTO.

Photo opportunity: The "Surge" Hospital will be erected in the East parking lot across from the hospital from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday, Sept. 25 during an in-house safety event and available for photos. Please call if interested in photo to ensure our media person can be on hand for security reasons.

Karen Keltner, Marketing/Communications Specialist

219.263.4656

Porter Health System

Leads in Pandemic and Disaster Readiness

Porter Health System has taken steps to lead the way in preparing for community emergencies caused by disaster or disease with the introduction of its new Zumro inflatable "Surge" Hospital -- the first of its kind in Northwest Indiana.

The mobile Surge Hospital is a self-contained unit, designed to handle an extra "surge" of patients in the event of emergency. It is complete with its own heating and cooling system, electric generators, lighting, and beds. Porter's Surge Hospital measures 21 feet by 42 feet and can be transported on a 26-foot trailer. It sets up quickly on any flat ground and comes equipped with 20 fold-up hospital beds.

"The Surge Hospital sets up in under 10 minutes and gives us many ways to serve the community," said Gary Atherton, Porter's Emergency Medical Services Director. "We can provide pandemic triage away from the hospital which is best for avoiding the spread of disease. We can relieve crowding in the hospital or ER. We could also use it as a warming area or a cooling shelter in cases of disaster. It just increases our capacity to help," he said.

Surge hospitals such as Porter's have been used around the world in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Porter's Surge unit has the added capability of attaching to the hospital's existing decontamination shelter, making it a valuable addition to Porter's hazardous material response.

The mobile Surge Hospital is part of Porter's Emergency Operations Plan which is the result of many hours of planning by Porter's Emergency Preparedness Committee, Infection Control Committee, and members of Senior Leadership. Funding for the $130,000 mobile Surge Hospital was provided by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) through Health and Human Services (HHS).

What situations might it be used in?

Ever had the need before?

Can it be lent to other facilities?

How do you staff it in an emergency?

What did it cost?

How paid for? You applied for grant?

How much to maintain?

How is it transported? Where based?

Where's the next nearest?

The portable facility is heated or cooled with generator power.