2008 Woodie Awards
Illini Media
WPGU
buzz
Illio
TechnographCarle prepares for possible bioterrorism
By Christine Won
Posted: 11/9/05 Section: News
Carle Foundation Hospital received a bioterrorism grant of $502,000 from the Illinois Department of Public Health, provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
It is Carle's fourth year receiving the grant. The grants came about after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Anita Guffey, POD disaster coordinator for Carle Hospital.
Carle received the grant because of its designation as one of the 11 POD hospitals by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Being a POD hospital declares Carle the lead hospital in the emergency medical services region 6 in case of a disaster.
"9/11 was obviously an eye-opener," Guffey said. "The first responders, community and government were not truly prepared. The federal government said the country needed to be more prepared and issued clear requirements on what hospitals have to do to better prepare the community."
Any place is a possible target for a terrorist attack, said Guffey. Things that make Champaign-Urbana susceptible is a major university with major concentrations in informational technology. If targeted, the city, state and possibly even the government can be greatly wounded.
"When it comes to disasters, other hospitals are supposed to report to us," Guffey said. "As the POD hospital of region 6, Carle is the home base for resources for other hospitals."
As the POD disaster coordinator, Guffey helps Carle and all hospitals in region 6 develop their disaster plans, exercise those plans through drills, and collaborate with other hospitals to share resources.
"Anita has done a tremendous job maximizing dollars and tracking down to each penny," said Lynne Barnes, vice president of clinical operations. "At state level, the way she manages the grant is really exemplary."
With the grant being in the form of reimbursements, Carle has up to approximately half a million dollars to spend on preparation in case of a bioterrorist attack and the federal government would reimburse them.
It is Carle's fourth year receiving the grant. The grants came about after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Anita Guffey, POD disaster coordinator for Carle Hospital.
Carle received the grant because of its designation as one of the 11 POD hospitals by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Being a POD hospital declares Carle the lead hospital in the emergency medical services region 6 in case of a disaster.
"9/11 was obviously an eye-opener," Guffey said. "The first responders, community and government were not truly prepared. The federal government said the country needed to be more prepared and issued clear requirements on what hospitals have to do to better prepare the community."
Any place is a possible target for a terrorist attack, said Guffey. Things that make Champaign-Urbana susceptible is a major university with major concentrations in informational technology. If targeted, the city, state and possibly even the government can be greatly wounded.
"When it comes to disasters, other hospitals are supposed to report to us," Guffey said. "As the POD hospital of region 6, Carle is the home base for resources for other hospitals."
As the POD disaster coordinator, Guffey helps Carle and all hospitals in region 6 develop their disaster plans, exercise those plans through drills, and collaborate with other hospitals to share resources.
"Anita has done a tremendous job maximizing dollars and tracking down to each penny," said Lynne Barnes, vice president of clinical operations. "At state level, the way she manages the grant is really exemplary."
With the grant being in the form of reimbursements, Carle has up to approximately half a million dollars to spend on preparation in case of a bioterrorist attack and the federal government would reimburse them.
The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.
The posting of copyrighted material, including any and all content for which you are not the author, is illegal under Federal intellectual property laws. Such activity will not be tolerated. Comments containing copyrighted material will be removed, and continued violation of copyright law is grounds for being banned completely from commenting on DailyIllini.com.
If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits review, please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com.