New technologies at Washington, DC, hospital to help if disaster strikes

Washington Hospital Center has unveiled new emergency department technologies designed to prepare the downtown Washington, DC, facility for a terrorist attack or other massive disaster. The technologies, which cost about $4.5 million, include negative pressure isolation rooms to prevent the spread of infectious agents and rooms that can be sterilized with vaporized hydrogen peroxide. The products will be studied over time so officials can see how effective they may be in case of a hospital surge.