Loyola University Health System (LUHS) will conduct a 36-hour drill to test its ability to quickly and efficiently respond to a deadly disease outbreak by inoculating its staff against the flu.
The drill begins at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 and will continue until 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17. The drill will take place at the system's 61-acre campus in Maywood and at its 28 primary and specialty care facilities in Cook, Will and DuPage counties. Media are welcome to attend.
The drill will also allow the system to vaccinate a significant portion of its 7,825 employees as part of its mandatory policy designed to improve the safety of patients, visitors, staff and their families.
Last year, 99.3 percent of Loyola's staff received flu shots, among the highest percentage of any medical center in the nation. Loyola was among the first medical centers to make flu shots mandatory.
"The flu shot is safe and effective. It reduces infections and absenteeism among employees, prevents transmission to patients and reduces patient hospitalization and mortality," said Dr. Jorge Parada, medical director of infection control, LUHS. "We are committed to taking the right steps to minimize risk to our patients and our employees."
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