Hospitals Initiate ‘Code Yellow’

When Word Of Pile-Up Arrives

By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com

Sunday’s 15-vehicle pile-up on I-88 caused the Schenevus Fire Department to smoothly implement its emergency-management plan.

The same happened at the other end – at Bassett and Fox hospitals, where eight people injured in the crash were taken.

Without knowing whether there would be “2 or 30” patients coming in from the I-88 crash, trauma surgeon Dr. Shelby Cooper called a “Code Yellow” to alert the Incident Command Teams at both hospitals that all staff was to be ready in the event of potential mass casualty.

“Incident Command was established for this Code with Harold Southworth, network security manager, already on campus and designated incident commander,” said Cooper, who has honed his skills during military assignments to Afghanistan.  “Several other members of the Incident Command team also came in.”

In all, 19 patients were treated; eight at Bassett and 11 at Fox.  “They didn’t all come in at once, so we were able to handle it in the Emergency Department, with the team that was already there,” said Dr. Cooper.  “There was no need to call in extra personnel.”

Two of the patients had major trauma and required surgery.  Six others came in with bruising and lacerations and were treated in the ER.  “It pushed the limits of our operations, but it didn’t overextend us,” said Cooper.  “We weren’t terribly busy at the time.”

At Fox, providers, Emergency Department techs, ancillary services and registration staff were called in for additional support. 10 of the 11 patients were treated for similar bruising and lacerations, and one was transferred to Bassett Trauma Center for surgery.

“Sunday’s challenges were a testament of how well both the Fox and the Bassett Emergency Department teams work together on behalf of patients,” said Karen Huxtable-Hooker, Public Relations for the hospital.  “The atmosphere was professional efficient and compassionate.”