Conventional Care

UMHC offers first aid at new Jackson complex

When three people were hurt in separate incidents during the opening ceremonies of the brand-new Jackson Convention Complex, they didn’t have far to go to find treatment.

University of Mississippi Health Care had staff nurses on site ready to help. That’s because UMHC has partnered with the convention center to provide medical services at large events -– those attended by 500 or more.

Within the building’s folded-glass facade and behind the cavernous exhibit hall, the Medical Center has set up a first-aid center in a small room to treat anything from sprains to lacerations to chest pain.

“This was an opportunity to put our best foot forward,” said Dr. Robert Galli, emergency medicine chair. Galli says the convention center is a major development that could bring significant growth to downtown Jackson, offering the Medical Center an opportunity to develop more community ties.

The Jackson Convention Complex held its grand opening Jan. 14, and the new first-aid station was immediately put to the test.

“We treated three patients in the first 30 minutes,” said Kristi Henderson, director of the Fast-Track Unit, who also is leading the clinical services at JCC.

During the opening ceremonies, which included a dazzling pyrotechnics display, Henderson’s team treated one patron injured in a fireworks mishap, another who fell in the parking lot and a crew member who lost a finger in an accident involving a heavy speaker.

Henderson said it was a good example of the need for on-site medical services. “The goal was to get good staff to deal with situations like that.” UMHC’s objective, she said, is “to provide basic first aid and stabilization for emergencies.”

The injuries, while unusual, demonstrate accidents can and do happen when large crowds gather. The Medical Center staffs about two events per week, Henderson said, and the medical team is usually a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner.

“We have not had an event yet where we didn’t have at least one patient,” Henderson said.

Other patients have been treated for chest pains, seizure and some high-heel malfunctions. So far, Henderson said, two patients have been transferred to the Medical Center, but the rest were treated and discharged at the convention center.

There has been an enormous response from UMHC staff members eager to sign up to work certain events.  “Most of the events have been on evenings and weekends, so it has not been difficult to find staff,” she said.

Headquartered in a small utility room in the service area of the complex stocked with equipment and supplies, UMHC staff nurses are able to work behind the scenes and treat patients away from crowded convention rooms.

But, Henderson said, they want to be visible. “We want to be seen so that event attendees know the service is available in the event they need our assistance,” she said, adding that signage is being designed for the clinic. “We’re still fine-tuning the process.”

Dr. David Powe, associate vice chancellor for administrative affairs, saw the convention center clinic as an opportunity not only to provide medical services to the people of downtown Jackson but also to the thousands of people who visit the JCC from out of town.

“This is an extension of the finest health-care services provided at the Medical Center,” he said.

-Matt Westerfield

2009-02-17 00:00:00 18835