 |  |  |  |  |  |
   | ||
|
Job Bank UCMC News Calendar Hospital Staff Administration Volunteers History Contact Us Qualifications and Awards Financial Arrangements Patient Rights and Responsibilities Advance Directives Visiting Hours Admissions and Discharge Gift Shop and Cafeteria
|  |
24 Timken Employees Seen in Hospital Emergency Dept. for Propane Exposure
Prepared by: Steve Wong Upstate Carolina Medical Center Marketing Phone 864-487-1515 The Emergency Department at Upstate Carolina Medical Center treated 24 employees from The Timken Co. in Gaffney for propane exposure Thursday, starting at 9 a.m. All of them were expected to be treated and released. The first patients began arriving at 8:58 a.m. by way of the hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), AmbuStar and TransMed ambulance services. Most patients were treated for shortness of breath, nausea, headache, and dizziness. "We were notified about 8:45 there had been an industrial incident," Public Information Officer Steve Wong said. "Within moments, the Emergency Department was standing by for the EMS to arrive. In addition, virtually every department in the hospital had sent employees to the ER to help. It was quite amazing and reassuring to see how quickly and efficiently these healthcare professionals respond to an emergency." Ambulances brought in patients, some of whom walked into the ER, others came in wheelchairs and on stretchers. By 9:44, 16 patients were being treated. By 10:08, the first patient was being discharged. By early afternoon, most of the patients had been discharged. However, hospital officials cautioned that more patients might come in later. "The hospital performed exceptionally well during this community emergency," hospital CEO Joe Howell said. "I am very proud of everyone, especially the ER staff, the EMS and Dr. Mark Huntley, who was the primary doctor in the ER today. The response and efficiency were outstanding. On behalf of the hospital, we wish the Timken employees and the plant a speedy recovery from this incident."
|
