Belleville Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill., adopted Chicago-based RealView’s CommandScopeTM first responder technology to better protect patients, staff and property in cases of emergency. The almost 60-year-old hospital expects to have all facility data entered into the system by the end of the month.

Beyond external events, medical buildings have the potential to be extremely hazardous due to the storage of chemicals and biohazards on site. CommandScope, developed by Chicago-based RealView, LLC, provides first responders with critical knowledge of buildings and its occupants.

“The adoption is a smart, cost-effective investment in the continued focus on the safety of their residents,” said Len Karson, account executive with RealView. “It is imperative for the program to be user-friendly; for first responders to get critical information immediately and clearly. CommandScope does that.” 

CommandScope pre-plan provides first responders with instant en route access to site plans, floor plans, hazardous material details, utility shut-off locations, geographical maps, fire hydrants locations, persons requiring special assistance, and other critical building data.

The non-profit Belleville Memorial is a 316-bed hospital is a designated MAGNET™ facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as well as an accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Society for Chest Pain Centers. It has a medical staff of more than 350 members representing 42 specialties.

Belleville Memorial joins Loyola University Chicago’s Medical Campus, as well as hospitals in Lincolnwood, Park Ridge and Niles, Ill., in using the technology. Belleville neighbor St. Louis also adopted CommandScope city-wide in 2014 and will incorporated its hospitals into the system.

In use on Loyola’s main lakefront campus since 2010, the institution expanded Commandcope coverage in 2013 to include the 13-building, 61-acre medical campus. Along with the hospital system, the campus includes the Loyola University Health Sciences Division which includes the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Stritch School of Medicine/Cuneo Center, and the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.