July 21, 2008

St. Paul hospitals prepare for Republican National Convention
St. Paul, Minn., - St. Paul hospitals have been working together to prepare for the Republican National Convention coming to St. Paul from Sept. 1-4.

"Our hospitals will be operating normally and open for business 24/7," said Katherine Grimm, director of emergency preparedness for HealthEast Care System, which includes St. Joseph's Hospital. "If you need us, we will be here, providing the high quality care you have come to expect."

The five hospitals nearest the event at the Xcel Energy Center are Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Regions Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and United Hospital. The group has been working together to ensure that the 30,000-50,000 increase in population during the convention does not impact the day-to-day ability of hospitals to care for the community.

"The increase in the population means many things for the area hospitals including more traffic accidents, more illnesses and the possibility of more injuries associated with everyday life activities," explained Rick Huston, director of emergency preparedness Regions Hospital, who is leading the St. Paul hospital coordination team. "Together, our hospitals are prepared at any time to provide appropriate medical services to our patients," Huston said. "As we've prepared for the convention, we have worked together with the City of St. Paul, the St. Paul Police Department and other agencies."

The hospitals are planning for a 25-30 percent increase in emergency room visits, and plan to increase staffing to accommodate the anticipated demand.

St. Paul's two children's hospitals are also prepared.

"Children's Hospitals and Clinics is planning for normal operations; we can assure families and physicians we're here for them and any child who needs care," said Phil Kibort, M.D., vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

"Gillette will remain open during the convention, offering patients the opportunity to relocate their appointments to the hospital's outpatient clinics in Minnetonka, Burnsville and Maple Grove if they choose," said Kathryn Wardrop, vice president of strategic planning, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.

Facts about St. Paul hospitals and their planning for the event:

• 30,000-50,000 - estimated number of additional people in St. Paul during Republican National Convention, Sept 1-4.
• 13,476 - number of employees at St. Paul hospitals. Hospitals are among the largest employers in St. Paul.
• 1,519 - total number of available inpatient hospital rooms in St. Paul hospitals.
• 101 - total number of ER rooms available in St. Paul hospitals.
• 25-30% - expected increase in patients using St. Paul hospital emergency departments.
• 29 - number of hospitals in the Twin Cities that are part of the Metropolitan Hospital Compact, a collaborative effort to coordinate emergency preparedness.
• 3 - number of staff working the East Metro Medical Resource Control Center - the "flight control center" for emergency medical services. (Normally, there are two operators.)

Hospital media contacts and internet information:
Allison Sandve
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
(612) 526-3440 pager
www.childrensmn.org


Jennifer Kovacich
Regions Hospital
(651) 629-0411 pager
www.regionshospital.com

Lynn Sadoff
St. Joseph's Hospital
(651) 864-1023 pager
www.stjosephs-stpaul.org

David Kanihan
United Hospital
612-262-4986
www.unitedhospital.com

Molly Snyder
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
(612) 580-2192 pager
www.gillettechildrens.org