Jamaica Hospital and the entire MediSys Health Care Network was recently designated as one of four New York City Centers for Bioterrorism Preparedness Planning.   This designation has uniquely positioned the MediSys Network to enhance its current capabilities and pioneer innovative models on how healthcare facilities should respond to mass casualty incidents or Nuclear, Biological, Chemical or Radiological events not only in NYC but perhaps for the entire country.  

Late last year, the MediSys Health Care Network completed a $1,000,000 grant application that was initially open to all New York City hospitals.   In early 2004 MediSys was notified that it was one of the grant recipients.   The decision to award MediSys was chiefly due to the network's recent accolades: being a recognized and longstanding leader in emergency management.  

Prior to and since the September 11th attacks, MediSys has taken immediate and aggressive measures to assure bioterrorism preparedness on all levels. Clearly by its history and experience in situations such as 911, the Anthrax scares and the West Nile outbreak, Jamaica Hospital and the MediSys Network have positioned themselves as leaders in the field of emergency management.  

According to the guidelines of the CBPP (Center for Bioterrorism Preparedness Planning), the scope of the project consists of 6 major areas, or categories of preparedness improvement:

1) Surge Capacity Planning

2) Enhanced Participation in the Syndromic Surveillance System

3) Electronic Clinical Lab Reporting System

4) Decontamination

5) Mass Vaccination Pilot Program

6) Staff Training and Field Exercise

While staff across the Network prays that the need for such extreme action never again arises, they will diligently prepare themselves in the event that it becomes a reality. In this way, MediSys continues to be actively engaged in local and statewide disaster preparedness initiatives to ensure that the safety of our community is our highest priority.