NJHA, Hospitals Poised to Handle Hurricane Isabel; Media Updates Provided Throughout the Night

9/18/2003

From: Ron Czajkowski of the New Jersey Hospital Association, 609-275-4071 or 908-930-3754

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 18 -- The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) and the state's hospitals have put their emergency planning efforts into action as the state braces for the impact of Hurricane Isabel.

NJHA's Department of Emergency Preparedness has activated its 24-hour command post to support the state's hospitals and act as a liaison between healthcare providers and the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The command post offers two 24-hour phone lines for hospitals at 800-457-2262 and 609-275-4199. In addition, media may contact NJHA's Vice President of Communications, Ron Czajkowski, at 609-275-4071; on his cell, 908-930-3754, or at rczajkow@njha.com.

As hospitals enacted their own emergency plans, NJHA supported their efforts this week by orchestrating conference calls with state Health Commissioner Dr. Clifton Lacy and officials at the Florida Hospital Association. NJHA also distributed task lists and other resources, with continuous updates on NJHA's Web site and the NJHA Disaster Prep listserv. NJHA also will work with the state in surveying hospitals on bed availability and other information.

Valerie Sellers, senior vice president of health planning and research, said no matter whether Isabel hits New Jersey with a roar or a whimper, it provides a valuable real-life test of the hard work by state health officials, NJHA and the state's hospitals to better prepare for an array of emergencies.