Woman’s conducts trial runs to prepare for move

In anticipation of the Aug. 5 move to its new, $327 million campus six miles south on Airline Highway, Woman’s Hospital executives and staff spent Thursday going through a host of simulated trial runs. The hospital says staff “actors” played out five scenarios designed to teach employees about the layout of the new campus and the location of medical equipment and supplies. “Since Woman’s has operated in the same facility for more than 43 years, patient simulations were vital,” explains Woman’s Hospital Director of Educational Services Joan Ellis. Hospital services will not be suspended during the move, so scenarios practiced on Thursday included a range of rare situations that could occur, including an obstetrical patent with twins who’s scheduled for a C-section. Other practice scenarios involved surgical patients with complications and mothers who experience rough deliveries or give birth to sick infants. Along with the support of NBBJ, a health care planning organization assisting Woman’s through the transition process, the trial runs included 100 Woman’s staff members. Each scenario lasted from 30 minutes to two hours. The campus move will take place at approximately 5 a.m. on Aug. 5.