Bear Force One will transport critically ill newborns, children and pregnant women from outlying hospitals to the rooftop helipad, the only operational hospital helipad in San Francisco.
The best day of her life quickly flipped over to become the worst. “Brenda” had just given birth to her son. She had allowed her ex, the baby’s father, to visit, but when her back was turned, he hightailed it out of the postpartum room with the newborn in his arms. Within seconds, code pink was activated, and staff swiftly patrolled the hospital in search of the father. The baby was soon found and reunited with mom.
But there wasn’t time to get comfortable: less than a minute later, Brenda started to hemorrhage and had to be transported to the operating room. Could one woman experience more drama in a single morning? Wait, why was Brenda grinning?
Thankfully this scenario and the hundred-plus others enacted at UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay on Oct. 15 were completely fictitious. The “Day in the Life” event was staged to help staff get ready for the Feb. 1 opening of three hospitals: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco, UCSF Bakar Cancer Hospital and UCSF Betty Irene Moore Women’s Hospital.
With the help of volunteer patients like Brenda, who were mainly UCSF employees, clinicians familiarized themselves with new supply locations, equipment and workspaces. Nurses, physicians, patient care assistants, child life specialists and respiratory therapists tested integrated systems and travel pathways, and red-flagged any hiccups that had the potential to clog up smooth operations.
Meanwhile, Bear Force One, a medical transport helicopter, made its historic landing at the new Medical Center helipad. Bear Force One will transport critically ill newborns, children and pregnant women from outlying hospitals to the rooftop helipad, the only operational hospital helipad in San Francisco. The helicopter is housed at Oakland airport, with a dedicated team of pilots, mechanics and nurses ready to respond at any hour.