Texas Health Resources - The Business of Healthcare

The Business of Health Care Report
Emergency Preparedness Remains a Community Effort - September 2003

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I'm Doug Hawthorne, President and CEO of Texas Health Resources, with "The Business of Health Care Report" on News Radio 1080 KRLD.

Today, it's my pleasure to introduce Steve Mason, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Texas Health Resources.

STEVE: On Sept. 11, 2001, our country suffered one of the worst assaults in its history. People across the country and around the world united to help in the relief efforts. Firefighters, police and paramedics worked valiantly and risked their own lives to save the lives of others.

Texas Health Resources and its family of hospitals have a long history of planning and responding to crisis situations - from daily traffic accidents to destructive tornadoes. And, one thing is understood more clearly now than ever: It takes a community of health care providers and public servants working together to be prepared for crisis situations.

For Texas Health Resources, being prepared means:

educating employees and testing the efficiency of their response;

providing readily available communication systems;

disease surveillance and reporting to appropriate agencies to assist in identifying potential biological or chemical attacks at their earliest stages;

providing appropriate facilities and equipment and selected employees trained to decontaminate patients exposed to nuclear, biological or chemical agents;

reviewing supply and pharmaceutical inventories;

and, strengthening communication with suppliers, who can respond quickly to help meet the needs of patients.

These collaborative efforts with local, state and federal agencies, other health care systems, emergency rescue responders and businesses are the key to effective planning. Working together provides an opportunity to identify problem areas, while taking advantage of the expertise we have in our communities.

DOUG: Thank you, Steve.

For Texas Health Resources and its family of hospitals - Harris Methodist Hospitals, Presbyterian Healthcare System and Arlington Memorial Hospital - I'm CEO Doug Hawthorne with "The Business of Health Care Report" on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD.

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