El Paso hospitals begin preparations for Pope Francis visit
Just 11 days from the Pope’s visit to Juarez and El Paso’s hospitals are gearing up for thousands to flood the border. With so many people walking, standing and waiting outdoors, health care professionals have to be prepared for the worst.
During the Pope’s visit University Medical Center’s emergency room could see hundreds of cases of chest pain, trouble breathing, dehydration, or even a major catastrophic event that results in a mass injuries and even casualties.
“We’re networked in to the citywide emergency center,” said Blas Meza, director of UMC’s emergency department.
UMC is using it’s Hospital Incident Command System, or HICS. It’s similar to the system set up by public safety agencies, but brought into the hospital setting. UMC will be coordinating with law enforcement, which is counting on large resources to be available including beds, supplies, doctors and staff.
“We’ve designated Feb. 16-17 a critical absence, which means we are not granting any leave,” Meza said.
To the west the Hospitals of Providence are opening up rooms for staff to spend the night, ensuring traffic hassles that day won’t leave their three campuses unprepared.
“We’re going to make sure we have adequate resources to take of who needs it when they need it,” said Roddex barlow, associate administrator.
There’s no chance hospitals will be too full. Providence said all transfer of resources will be fluid through all three campuses. UMC is keeping all its neighborhood clinics open. There’s not a final budget for the extra bulk up. Both hospitals are ready for Americans, and Mexican Nationals if Juarez needs assistance.
UMC is the official designated hospital for any head of state in the El Paso region and gets hurt. It’s not confirmed if Pope Francis will be transferred to UMC if something happens, but UMC still has to be prepared.
“We’re used to doing this, I think we’re prepared for it,” Meza said.
“And hopefully, none of this will come to fruition,” Barlow said.
Along with the hospitals, there will be aid stations throughout the Segundo Barrio area to help people before they need to go to the hospital.
