BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Med Center Health unveiled its inflatable hospital for use by residents of south-central Kentucky on Wednesday.
This resource can be quickly deployed in the event of a crisis to create additional space for emergency responders. According to James Monroe, safety manager at Med Center Health, the inflatable hospital is a valuable asset to the community.
“We’ve had this for several years and have used it before on the Bowling Green tornado,” Monroe said. “It’s been used in other areas and can be taken anywhere it’s needed.”
Although the inflatable hospital is owned by Med Center Health, it is also available as a resource to other area hospitals or emergency responders such as paramedics, firefighters and police officers.
To ensure staff are familiar with the inflatable hospital, Med Center Health recently had the inflatable hospital on-site for new team members to tour.
Seth Wilson, director of the emergency department at Med Center Health, emphasized the importance of being prepared for such a situation.
“The staff is getting comfortable with it, so to speak, so that we are ready to change our model of care from an inpatient hospital setting to more community-based care,” he said.
The inflatable hospital can accommodate up to 12 patients and is easy to clean thanks to its non-porous material. It can be set up in just 30 minutes and is a much-needed resource in times of crisis.
While it doesn’t have the same amenities as a traditional hospital room, Wilson noted that its mobility and ability to help communities in need make it a valuable resource.
“Even though there aren’t quite as comfortable facilities as an inpatient setting, there are stretchers, medical supplies, heart monitors and all that stuff,” Wilson said. “We’re available to help people in the community stabilize their condition.”
All rights reserved.
