'ED of the future' girded for disasters.

Optimizing your ED to deal with mass disasters can also help make your current patients comfortable. Here are some changes instituted at Washington (DC) Hospital Center as part of its "Bridge to ER One" initiative: Patient rooms are oversized so that in a disaster they will be able to accommodate two patients. "ER One" rooms each have a shower and toilet, to avoid the contamination spread of common facilities. Rubber floors reduce stress and fatigue for staff members and ambulatory patients.