Newsroom

NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital and Entergy conducted an emergency training drill today to ensure the safety of Indian Point workers who might be exposed to radiation while on the job.

The annual exercise helps train Hospital staff on how to receive, treat and decontaminate patients who may have been exposed to radiation. In the event of an accident, Entergy workers would likely be brought to HVHC since it is the closest hospital to Indian Point.

Members of the Hospital staff – nurses, physicians, members of the radiology, security, and housekeeping staffs – as well as members of Entergy’s Radiation Protection team, and local EMS agencies participated in the drill from 8 – 10:30 a.m. today.

In today’s scenario, an Indian Point employee was brought to HVHC’s Emergency Department after being injured in an on-site accident and exposed to radiation.

Tony Iraola, senior emergency planner at Indian Point, said the worker was in the containment area of Unit III at Indian Point when he became dizzy, sweaty and nauseous and decided to lie down. In getting up, the worker tore his sleeve, exposing his left elbow to radiation, and scraped his left jaw.

During the mock incident, the worker was brought to the hospital’s wash down room where he was checked for radiation and treated by staff in protective gear.

Iarola said that the training was not only relevant to radiation exposure that might result at Indian Point, but in cases of a "dirty bomb" terrorist attack that might involve the public being exposed to radiation.

"Fortunately, with radiation – unlike chemical weapons- we know how to measure it and how to handle it," he said. "It is valuable training for all emergency staff."

Donna Rosenberg, Clinical Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department at HVHC, said the Hospital conducts these drills with Entergy annually to practice proper protocol and be prepared in the event of a real emergency.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community. In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs. NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit hvhc.npgdev.com