UPDATE ON HOSPITAL INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

At approximately 9:00 Am on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, the Nassau University Medical Center activated the Hospital Incident Command System Phase I in response to a problem being experienced with the medical vacuum system.

The nursing and respiratory departments have been notified and are addressing patient care issues by assessing patient needs for suction on the south side of the hallway from the fifth floor and up.  Those patients on medical suction or on ventilators who may be affected while the medical vacuum system is being repaired will be receiving alternate care by being provided with portable vacuum pumps or being relocated to another appropriate location within the hospital.

At no time was there a loss of suction pressure or any compromised patient care during the controlled shut down of the vacuum system while the repairs are being completed over the next approximately four hours.