Increasing the Effectiveness of Mass Notification
Overview
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Medical Center Type: Rural
Size: 18-acre campus
In-Patient Beds: 25
Personnel/Staff: 1000+
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital had a smaller version of an MNS, but it was older, harder to maintain, and unreliable. They had a hardwired panic button system in their ER, but it wasn’t used often, so they relied primarily on their security team to alert them of emergencies.
Challenge
In July 2019, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Independence Day, followed by a 7.1-magnitude mainshock in the Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, California. These earthquakes were the biggest that California had felt in more than 20 years, and they completely stunned the residents of Ridgecrest. The natural disaster also triggered the central hospital system, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, to re-evaluate the effectiveness of its mass notification system (MNS). We spoke with Stephanie Meeks, Emergency Management and Regulatory Compliance Manager at Ridgecrest, to learn more.
“When the earthquakes occurred, we luckily didn’t lose cell reception, but we did have to evacuate the area during the first (6.4-magnitude) earthquake. We realized that we didn’t have a reliable system to communicate with all our employees quickly. Hence, the earthquakes initiated our search for a better communication system,” said Meeks, who is responsible for managing emergency preparedness and activating communication during emergencies.
Solution
Rural Hospital, Big System
Ridgecrest’s most significant need was to take over computer desktops and reach employees through mobile devices. They deployed Alertus’ Desktop™ Notification and Mobile App solutions across their organization.
Alertus DesktopTM Notification can deliver a facility-wide emergency notification in a matter of seconds.
“We wanted to be able to take over everyone’s desktops, from nurse’s computers on wheels to doctor’s offices or patient clinic rooms, and be able to communicate rapidly. This is an 18-acre campus, so we like the customizable aspects of sending alerts to select buildings,” said Meeks.
Communication Improvements
Meeks liked that Alertus offered modular, scalable alternatives rather than buying an entirely new system. “We were happy that we could start with one or two products and add to the system as budget allows,” she said. “The goal is to keep adding more products as we recover from massive pandemic expenses.”
Since partnering with Alertus, communication has improved tremendously. Ridgecrest regularly conducts fire drills, tests, and staff training to ensure they are prepared in the event of an emergency. Meeks noted that the Alertus Recipient App’s picture-taking capability is a fantastic alternative to radio paging because it is more discreet when dealing with angry patients.
“It’s nice to communicate over the Alertus Recipient App and not have to use the PA system to avoid inciting any unnecessary fear,” said Meeks. “We can now communicate rapidly, do it on the go, and limit emergency incidents.”
Alertus Mobile Recipient App allows users to receive push notifications to their Android or iOS tablets or smartphones.
The hospital is located near a major military installation, and a lockdown at that facility may require Ridgecrest to go into lockdown, as well. Consequently, improved communication remains a high priority for both organizations. “It is comforting knowing the Alertus System is in place, and that I can even send an alert from home!”
Meeks also noted that working with the Alertus IT and Customer Service teams has been a very smooth, positive experience since day one. Looking toward the future, she is interested in the Desktop Activator and USB Panic Button for front desk areas.
“We started our pursuit for a new system by simply conducting Google searches, and luckily we found Alertus,” said Meeks. “Alertus’ price point was a major factor in our decision. Ridgecrest is a smaller, rural hospital with budge constraints, but we also have more than 1,000 employees and a number of clinics, long-term care facilities, and more to manage.” They replaced their old system entirely and have had the Alertus System in place for about two years now.
About Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital is located east of the Southern Sierra Mountains in Ridgecrest, California focusing on primary care, general surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, radiology, and more. Ridgecrest Regional is a Critical Access Hospital, which is an appointment given to qualified rural hospitals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to reduce financial susceptibility that rural hospitals encounter and enhance community access to healthcare services.