In December 2018, Westchester, Ill.-based Regent Surgical Health's Surgery Center of Wasilla (Alaska) withstood a major earthquake with minimal damage.
Four key insights:
1. Surgery Center of Wasilla successfully completed procedures that were underway at the time of the earthquake, which reached 7.0 magnitude and caused significant damage in Alaska's Anchorage and Wasilla communities. Operating room staff safely closed up patients until conditions were declared stable, just as they had practiced during many earthquake drills.
2. The ASC opened its facility to physicians whose centers were affected by power outages or damage, such as plumbing issues and cracked walls. The displaced physicians used Surgery Center of Wasilla's examination areas to see patients until they could return to their own facilities three days after the quake.
3. The facility was built to sway when earthquakes occur, so its damage was limited to cracked caulk and a busted door frame. The issues were inspected and cleared by a general contractor without the need for examination by local government officials.
4. Surgery Center of Wasilla resumed operations as normal the day after the earthquake.