JFK Medical Center (JFK) is preparing for the upcoming 2006 hurricane season with a team in place to ensure readiness for June 1. Although there is a more intense focus on hurricane preparedness in the last few months, at JFK Medical Center, the team prepares all year to ensure the safety of its patients, physicians, nurses and employees should they be impacted with a hurricane.
Preparing for 06 JFK Medical Center has worked hard over the last few months to prepare for the 2006 hurricane season. This includes increasing the emergency power to critical rooms that serve as patient care areas, bringing in a backup emergency generator which will be stored at the hospital all season. Engineering has done a complete operational test with total success and the Connect Generators are this year employed through an approved quick connect to minimize any potential risks to employees. JFK this year has added Dade County Rated hurricane shutters to critical first floor windows and patient areas. In the last month the sixth story roof of the hospital was repaired to make it hurricane ready. Dairy Connect- a 6000 gallon water connection device has been added to the JFK dietary area, better enabling clean water to be pumped into the kitchens for patient and staff meals. Further, JFK will stock food, water oxygen and fuel to keep the hospital completely self sufficient for five days. JFK Medical Center is also paying close attention to education. They are providing information to physicians, staff and patients on hurricane protocol and facility management has been meeting on both process and housing plans to be better prepared for the season. In the event that physician offices do not have power, resources are being made available to them to assist them in treating their patients. JFK continues to maintain close relationships with local dialysis centers to better assist the community. HCA JFK Medical Centers parent company will contract with weather meteorologists so all of their thirteen East Florida facilities will have consistent and correct communication with hurricane experts. The division also has a central command post at the division supply chain to coordinate deployment of all supplies and resources to the various hospitals.
