On Friday, December 5, Jamaica Hospital took precautionary measures and implemented its fire and safety procedures after a fire extinguisher was accidentally discharged on the third floor. Code purple was activated and a horizontal evacuation was executed.
Approximately 30 patients on 3 South were relocated to suitable patient care areas throughout the hospital, as security, building services, emergency management, and the local NYC Fire Department assessed the area. It was determined that the incident posed no serious threat to patients, visitors, or staff. To help ease anxiety during this time, flyers were distributed to every nursing station, as well as posted by the information desk. Also, hospital staff spoke individually with the families of several patients, ensuring patient safety and providing them with the new location of their loved ones.
Patients were returned to their rooms as soon as the cleanup process was complete. A special thanks to all the departments that assisted in the efficient handling of the evacuation. Job well done!
