DisastersNet Reports Rapid Growth, Signs 80 New Hospital Clients

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DisastersNet, Inc., a provider of Web-based emergency management systems for use in health care environments, today announced that the company has experienced record growth, signing 80 hospitals as new clients.

“A main benefit of DIMS is the flexibility for section chiefs to operate remotely instead of clustering in the command center. This reduces confusion and allows the command staff to function more efficiently.”

Since releasing its signature Disaster Incident Management System (DIMS) product in spring 2009, DisastersNet has rapidly expanded its national footprint, with DIMS now implemented in hospitals in 20 states. DIMS allows hospitals and other organizations to conduct training exercises and to manage real-time emergencies using the Incident Command System (ICS) from a PC or mobile device.

According to DisastersNet CEO Tim Franke, “Hospitals are our ‘first receivers’ in disasters, and it is critical that they have effective and efficient systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. DisastersNet’s paperless, streamlined platform represents the way of the future for emergency management. Our company’s growth reflects the fact that hospitals are seeking innovative approaches to prepare for disasters. We’re honored to partner with our new and existing clients to improve incident management – and ultimately save lives.”

Eighty-six percent of acute-care hospitals currently use manual processes for their incident command system and required exercises. The paper-based process consists of multiple binders with more than 100 checklists, 3,000 tasks and 17 different forms to respond to 27 types of emergency situations as defined by the federal government. Training hospital staff, complying with regulations and maintaining this manual process are all costly and cumbersome. Given the post-Katrina legal environment, hospitals are increasingly focused on proactive disaster planning and demonstrating a commitment to readiness to regulators.

“We partnered with DisastersNet because DIMS enables us to best prepare for emergency situations. After running exercises with DIMS, our incident command team members are amazed that we ever had to use those clunky binders. In fact, staff surveys indicate a 19 percent improvement over the old manual process during their first use of DisastersNet’s system,” said Todd Dousa, safety coordinator, Harford Memorial Hospital, Upper Chesapeake Health. “A main benefit of DIMS is the flexibility for section chiefs to operate remotely instead of clustering in the command center. This reduces confusion and allows the command staff to function more efficiently.”

DIMS is an automated, Web-based alternative that saves organizations time and money, while allowing for a more efficient and improved incident response and better communication that can end up saving lives. DIMS users have access to a suite of 27 preloaded ICS response templates, all built into the system. Further, clients can modify these templates and create new ones according to specific organizational needs, emphasizing the platform’s customizable, extensible and adaptable structure.

About DisastersNet, Inc.

DisastersNet, Inc. helps health care organizations save lives by improving their ability to prepare for and respond to incidents that could impact staff and patient safety. DisastersNet develops and implements fully automated, Web-based, paperless emergency management systems for hospitals and other environments for use in real-time emergencies or during training exercises. The company’s emergency platform, called the Disaster Incident Management System (DIMS), was designed and developed by hospital safety officers, physicians and emergency management coordinators. Visit DisastersNet online at www.disastersnet.com.

Note to editors: For screenshot images of the DisastersNet platform,

please e-mail laura(at)laura-campbell(dot)com.