Agenda - 04-29-2003-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Under optimal conditions, the study area has 3,776 beds licensed beds. However, the actual figures for the availability of these beds is in reality much lower. First, some of these beds are already in use by other patients. Current occupancy rates for these beds hovers around 50%. Second, some of the licensed beds are currently used for other purpose (i.e., storage and office space). Though assets could be easily reclaimed, it might take up to 48 hours. Third, not all beds are identical substitutes. An OB/GYN or a psychiatry bed is not equivalent to an Emergency Department (ED) bed. Finally, in cases of virulent biological infections (e.g., smallpox) each bed must be separated in a negatively pressured environment, further depleting availability of this resource. Evacuation Table 2 Study area populations by county 2000 Census Coun Po ulation Orange 118,227 Durham 223,314 Wake 627, 846 Chatham ~ 49,329 Alamance 130,800 Guilford 421,048 Johnston 121,965 Total 1,b92,529 Total evacuation of all counties in the study area is possible within one week, but is not likely to occur within 24 hours. Using the North Carolina Department of Transportation estimate of 2,000-passenger cars/lane/hour on a 3-lane Interstate, total evacuation would take S.f days, assuming that all interstate lanes would be directed for outbound traffic. Evacuation schedules could be accelerated if traffic flows were directed away from a central impact area allowing populations the choice to leave from either direction or if only a partial evacuation was implemented. However, it is likely that recent commercial and residential development would create gridlock areas and drastically hinder any attempt to leave. Other problems are also likely. Fleeing populations do not know where to go after they have been directed to leave. To date, destination centers for displaced urban areas have not been identified or prepared. Additional difficulties occur in the cases of nuclear and radiological emergencies. In these situations populations would need doses of Potassium Iodide (KI) distributed either through regional centers or through personnel at key interstate sites. While the medication is available, distribution plans are undeveloped. Quarantine Large-scale quarantines will not work for large dispersed rural areas or heavily populated urban areas. Quarantine requires massive amounts of funding and logistical resources (e.g., law enforcement personnel). At present the study area does not have the law enforcement or financial resources at its disposal to perform quarantine. Coupled with the facts that there are over 200 identified egress routes, a percentage of the population is armed, and that ii