Medical school leaders have used the month of June to provide faculty, residents, students and staff information about workplace, campus, patient care and personal safety.
The efforts are all part of National Safety Month, a time when WMed joins other organizations from across the country to enhance communication among internal stakeholders about safety with the campaign “Safety Starts with WMed.”
“We’re committed to safety at WMed, and National Safety Month allows us the opportunity to provide information to our staff that will help keep them safe,” said Drake Olson, the medical school’s Director of Facilities and Chief Safety and Security Officer.
This year’s campaign at WMed included the sharing of important information, including safety tips and reminders, through internal communication channels, as well as annual training for emergency coordinators.
At WMed, emergency coordinators are volunteers within each department, unit or floor who play a leadership role during actual emergencies and preparedness drills.
During the month of June, medical school officials tested WMed’s Emergency Notification System, which is used to inform members of the WMed community of emergency situations, closures and other important notifications.
WMed holds fire and tornado drills, and active shooter drills regularly during the year at all campus locations including the W.E. Upjohn M.D. and Oakland Drive Campuses, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine on Mall Drive - Portage, the Innovation Center and the Department of Psychiatry, located in the North Professional Building on the Ascension Borgess campus. The medical school has conducted biohazard and epidemic drills, as well as coded drills such as infant abductions at the WMed Clinics.
In 2019, WMed has added a safety information card for all students, staff and faculty members, has added more communication tools for emergency coordinators and has instituted an incident command process.