LeakSource2012's video: Chicago Hospitals Prepare for NATO Summit Worst Case Scenarios

05/16/2012 Many hospitals in Chicago have plans in place for all kinds of worst case scenarios they plan for year round. But with thousands of protestors expected to descend on Chicago for the NATO summit, unique medical emergencies are being considered. For weeks, hospitals in the area have been staging drills and getting ready for just about anything. "If the tenor of the crowd is getting violent, you see a lot of people. They get sucked into that mob mentality and now you have what was maybe 10 bad people now you might have a thousand bad people," said former Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, while explaining to Loyola medical students how a protest can quickly become dangerous. The upcoming summit, educators say, is a good teachable moment. Police may have to resort to using riot control agents such as mace, tear gas or pepper spray. They will cause eyes to water or throats to burn temporarily and people may seek medical attention. Of greater concern is what hospitals in the Chicago area have been preparing for, for weeks: the unknown. These include dirty bombs that can spread deadly radioactive material, agents that can blister the skin and possible explosions. "We are utilizing some of our educators and physicians who are burn specialists to talk about inhalation burns," said Dr. Mark Cichon, Emergency Medicine of the Loyola University Medical Center. Many hospitals have these decontamination tents designed to go up fast and treat victims quickly. But, there are even more sophisticated structures such as the new "Advanced Center for Emergency Response at Rush." There is an enclosed ambulance bay for potentially contaminated patients and specialized decontamination units. In the event you are in a crowd and come in contact with an unknown substance, emergency medicine experts say you can help lessen injury by taking action immediately. "And what we mean by that is start rinsing. The solution to pollution is dilution," said Dr. Cichon. "Something as simple as punching hold in a water bottle to help irritate your eyes may help prevent further burning from occurring." Following up with a trip to the hospital is also recommended. "Especially if you are exposed to blood or some other bodily fluid that might be infectious, then we would recommend you go and get decontaminated," said Dr. Christina Hantsch, Medical Toxicologist of the Loyola University Medical Center. Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is the hospital designated to take the lead in coordinating with other area hospitals in the event of an emergency. All of the hospitals we spoke with say they plan to operate business as usual during the summit. http://LeakSource.wordpress.com