St. Elizabeth Hospital staff in Gonzales, La., sprang into action when they received word shortly after 8:30 a.m., June 13, of an explosion at a chemical plant located about eight miles away in Geismar, La. They set up an outdoor decontamination unit where they could receive and begin treating patients without risk of contaminating the emergency department.
The plant produces building block materials to make plastics — ethylene and polymer-grade propylene. Hospital spokesperson Jon Hirsch said that as explosion victims were being triaged at East Iberville High School in St. Gabriel, La., St. Elizabeth staff readied supplies used to treat burns and respiratory injuries. The hospital called in additional staff.
Then, in the lull before the injured Williams Olefins plant workers arrived at the hospital, Patti Banes, St. Elizabeth's director of access services, suggested a group prayer. Doctors, nurses, technicians, hospital security staff and maintenance workers joined hands and prayed that injuries would be minimal and that God would guide them in the care of patients and their families.
Jason Jobes, St. Elizabeth's director of performance excellence, looked out his window, saw the prayer circle and shot a picture on his phone. It was shared through social media, area media outlets and to date has received thousands of comments from people who have seen it, Hirsch said. He said most who view it are touched that staff at the Catholic hospital found time for a prayer. It is, he said, not an uncommon occurrence at St. Elizabeth.
Two people, who were not St. Elizabeth patients, died from the explosion. St. Elizabeth Hospital received 45 patients, and another 28 were treated in Baton Rouge, La., including at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Both St. Elizabeth and Our Lady of the Lake are part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.