Lakeside Hospital Plans "Dress Rehearsal" in Preparation for Opening
July 20, 2004 – Hundreds of people are expected to participate in a test run at Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital in preparation for when the full-service community hospital opens in August. Lakeside Hospital medical staff, volunteer "patients," area emergency medical services’ (EMS) professionals and fire and rescue station volunteers will take part in the mock exercises on Thursday, July 22 and Friday, July 23. If weather permits, LifeNet Air Medical Services also plans to participate.
"The purpose of this Mock Live exercise is to simulate a typical day in the hospital," said Cindy Wille, management engineer for Alegent Health Operations Improvement Department. "It’s basically a dress rehearsal prior to Lakeside’s ‘opening night.’"
The exercise will provide the entire hospital staff, from admissions, surgery and diagnostics to the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department, with an opportunity to prepare for various patient scenarios.
"While our medical staff has years of experience working in different hospital settings, we are all new to Lakeside. Our staff has been in intense training since June 7 to familiarize themselves with the hospital and with each other," said Cindy Alloway, administrator, Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital. "Nonetheless, it’s important that we smooth out any rough spots and ensure that everyone understands policies and procedures before the hospital actually opens for business."
Each day will be divided into two Acts, with each Act lasting four hours, for a total of four Acts. Each Act will represent a different time frame (such as a night shift and a day shift) and day of the week (weekday and weekend).
Lakeside Hospital is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. on August 2. Lakeside Hospital is located at 168th and West Center Road.
