Countryside Care Centre proudly becomes a member of CHUG (Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group).

Countryside Care Centre recently became a member of the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group (CHUG). CHUG is an organization that trains various healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and hospitals, in disaster preparedness.

The staff members learn how to work in conjunction with, but independently of emergency management teams. During a major disaster, these groups are spread thin and may not be able to provide any care let alone the special care that residents/patients require. The in house staff is trained on the evacuation of fragile residents/patients, as well as how to shelter-in-place if necessary.

Founded by Connie Polke and Bill Pretzer, CHUG is a nonprofit organization that provides a collaborative pooling of resources among the various healthcare groups in a community. By working together, residents/patients will receive better care during and after an emergency. Staff members at Countryside Care Centre have all been trained and have passed the competency requirements necessary to become a member of CHUG. Kim Kohls, the Administrator at Coutryside says “Residents of Countryside Care Centre and their families should feel safer, knowing that we are a member of this group and that we are trained at handling disasters”.