How Chicago hospitals are preparing for the Democratic National Convention
As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, the city’s hospitals are intensifying their efforts to ensure they can handle any situation.
The city is expecting tens of thousands of delegates, media, and visitors expected to converge on the United Center — including the President, Vice President, and other high-level officials. There will also be an anticipated 20,000 or more protesters. Local hospitals are taking extensive measures to maintain their operations and safeguard the health of all involved.
And so is the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). The department works closely with the Chicago Healthcare System Coalition for Preparedness and Response, local hospitals, and city agencies to ensure a coordinated response to public health emergencies and potential medical surges. In preparation for the DNC, the coalition has been conducting preparedness exercises since February, culminating in a full-scale drill in June that simulated a significant event around the United Center.
During the convention, CDPH will staff the Public Health Emergency Operations Center and the Citywide Emergency Operations Center to ensure healthcare organizations receive timely updates regarding unexpected developments. And the hospitals have been doing their part to be ready for any influx in patients.
Cook County Health: A crucial role in convention preparedness
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, the main hospital within the Cook County system, operates the closest Level I trauma center to the United Center. It is pivotal to the city’s healthcare readiness. Craig Williams, chief administrative officer of Cook County Health, emphasizes the significance of the event and the hospital’s readiness.
“Throughout the convention, we will be here, ready to care for our patients and anyone who may need medical care,” Williams states via email.
Stroger Hospital, located one mile from the United Center, is strategically positioned to respond to medical emergencies during the DNC. Williams highlights the hospital’s routine experience with medical surges and expressed confidence in the staff’s ability to manage any situation effectively.
Cook County Health regularly conducts drills, including mass casualty scenarios, to ensure their readiness for potential disasters. These drills include lots of scenarios, from radiation and chemical exposures to communicable diseases and civil unrest. In preparation for the DNC, the hospital has held internal planning meetings to address other potential challenges, such as road closures, increased security needs, and medical surges.
“Obviously, you don’t want to think about a mass casualty or any incident where many people require medical help, but we are confident in our ability to respond if the need arises,” Williams states.
Additionally, the hospital has been stockpiling necessary supplies to remain fully equipped if deliveries are disrupted. Security measures have been heightened on campus, too.
“The health and safety of our patients and staff is our highest priority during the DNC,” Williams writes.
Rush University Medical Center: A year of preparation
Rush University Medical Center, another major hospital near the United Center, has been preparing, too. Nicholas Cozzi, MD, medical director of emergency medical services and disaster medicine at Rush, emphasizes the hospital’s early and thorough planning. “We’ve been preparing on the Rush Health System level for almost a year for this event,” Cozzi says. “Being on the drive-way, if you will, the United Center has mandated certain specific things of preparedness, making sure we’re providing the access that our patients deserve as an anchor institution on the West Side.”
While Rush is not a Level I trauma center, Cozzi says that in mass casualty incidents, 8 out of 10 patients arrive as walk-ins or via private vehicles at the nearest emergency facility, regardless of its trauma designation. This reality has driven Rush’s commitment to be ready to handle any scenario that might unfold during the DNC.
“Any mass casualty incident that occurs, we have to be prepared for whatever comes through the door,” Cozzi says. He highlights the importance of collaboration with nearby hospitals, particularly Stroger, to ensure comprehensive preparedness.
Rush has conducted various drills and simulations to prepare for potential scenarios, using virtual reality, conferring with departments, and practicing full-scale exercises. Like Cook County Health, they prepare for everything, including incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and explosives (CBRNE). Rush can convert its ambulance bay into a mass decontamination area in less than five minutes, a critical asset in a large-scale emergency, Cozzi says.
Proactively, Rush began adjusting clinic schedules months in advance, rescheduling some appointments before or after the DNC to minimize disruptions, and offering virtual visits or alternative arrangements to ensure continuous care.
Anticipating the influx of visitors to Chicago, Rush worked with out-of-town patients to secure accommodations, aware of the challenge of finding hotel rooms during the convention. It has made arrangements for staff who may face commuting difficulties due to road closures or security measures, to ensure adequate staffing levels through the duration of the DNC.
Chicago hospitals’ focus on heightened security, detailed planning, and commitment to maintaining normal operations will help them provide critical care and support during one of the city’s most high-profile events.
