Overview of a High-Stakes Simulation
In a controlled, non-emergency setting, Sydney’s health system recently conducted a multi-agency exercise to test emergency response plans for a potential Ebola case. The exercise took place at Concord Hospital in the city’s inner west, with a scenario that involved a returned traveler showing Ebola-like symptoms and requiring containment in a bio-containment environment before transfer to a specialist facility.
How the Drill Worked
The patient was positioned in a bio-containment bubble on a stretcher, and the medical team verified oxygen and water supplies while monitoring heart rate and temperature. The plan called for a rapid transfer to Westmead Hospital for treatment at the NSW Biocontainment Unit, highlighting the importance of seamless inter-hospital cooperation during high-risk infectious disease situations.
People and Roles
Multiple agencies were represented, including hospital staff, paramedics, infectious disease specialists, and government authorities. A dedicated incident control room facilitated real-time communication, ensuring all decisions reflected current best practices in infection control and patient safety.
Key Learning Points
Officials emphasized that the exercise was not about judging individual performance. Instead, it was a test of how well the emergency response plan functioned under simulated pressure and whether staff remained current in their knowledge of protocols. A vital aspect of the test was ensuring staff could don protective gear quickly and correctly, so frontline workers could safeguard themselves while caring for a potentially contagious patient.
Soft Skills: Communication and Coordination
Communication across agencies proved crucial. In the incident control room, decision-makers coordinated with each other and with health authorities to determine the next steps, including patient transfer logistics and containment procedures. The exercise also served to reaffirm which facilities should receive a patient with suspected Ebola, based on established pathways for high-risk infectious diseases.
Public Health Context
Dr. Timothy Gray from Concord Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department described the evolving context of Ebola outbreaks globally and the need for preparedness. Although Australia had not experienced imported Ebola cases at the time, health leaders stressed that a proactive approach helps reduce response times and improve patient outcomes should exposure occur locally.
Other Drills and Continuity Plans
The exercise at Concord was part of a broader program that included drills at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Canterbury Hospital, and Balmain. These parallel simulations aim to validate site-specific plans while reinforcing a consistent, system-wide standard for handling potential high-risk infections.
Looking Ahead
Officials underscored that drills like this strengthen both the practical and emotional readiness of frontline workers. By rehearsing intricate sequences—from triage to isolation, to inter-hospital transfer—South Western Sydney and its partners aim to protect health workers and patients alike in the unlikely event that an Ebola-like illness appears in the region.
