The Reading Hospital Extends Offer to Treat Victims of Haiti Earthquake

Friday, February 05, 2010

In response to a request by The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), The Reading Hospital and Medical Center (TRHMC) has offered to accept critically-injured patients from Haiti’s devastating earthquake last month.    Hospital officials have agreed to care for no more than eight patients at any one time and there is no guarantee the Hospital will receive any patients.

Considered part of the Philadelphia Region, the Hospital will receive 24-36 hours notice when the Philadelphia Region is activated, meaning flights will begin arriving at Philadelphia International Airport.  The Hospital will then receive 10-12 hours notice if patients have been identified for transport to TRHMC.  Ground transportation to West Reading will be provided by ambulance companies.

Patients will likely arrive with an escort who may also need medical care.  The Hospital is preparing to treat these individuals as well.

The Hospital is reaching out to employees with connections to Haiti to assist with interpreting needs.  In addition to an in-house interpreting phone system that can access both French and Haitian Creole languages, TRHMC also utilizes a local agency that has 6-7 interpreters that speak the Haitian languages.