St. Louis Park, Minn.-based Methodist Hospital emergency responders are preparing for an influx of patients during the Super Bowl Feb. 4 at Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank Stadium, according to a Sun Sailor report.
Although Methodist Hospital is approximately 10 miles from U.S. Bank Stadium, several hospitals around the state are expecting a surge of Super Bowl-related incidents to spill into surrounding Twin Cities communities, said Patrick Strait, Methodist Hospital communications supervisor.
Minneapolis-based Hennepin County Medical Center, which is about half a mile away from the stadium, is also preparing its medical providers for the Super Bowl.
Medical providers in past Super Bowl cities have reported rises in emergency room traffic at hospitals near the stadium, Mr. Strait added.
During the week of the Super Bowl, Methodist Hospital will place an incident command center inside the hospital. "The main areas that we would likely see an influx of patients would be because of trauma injuries from falls or traffic accidents, drug and alcohol detox, and of course, the uptick in flu this time of year," said Charles Gallagher, emergency preparedness program manager at Methodist Hospital.
Hospital officials have also prepared plans to respond to any mass casualties, Mr. Gallagher said. "Emergency planning is about being able to respond quickly, mobilize effectively and provide the resources and care needed no matter what the situation."
The St. Louis Park police and fire departments are also planning for the event.