Patients triage/distribution

A comprehensive disaster plan will account for the effective triage of patients (prioritization for care and transport of patients) and distribution of patients to hospitals (a coordinated, even distribution of patients to several hospitals as opposed to delivering most of the patients to the closest hospital). Review of previous disaster response efforts reveals that patients are frequently... 

The first major task faced by planners is to assess the current state of the EHS system. Significant variability exists in the components of the EHS system. Planners must know the exact capabilities of each component. For the EMS dispatch system, how is dispatch performed and how can it be used to make triage decisions For EMS, how many ambulances and EMS providers exist How many can be requested from surrounding regions How are the destinations of EMS patients determined For EDs, how many can handle major trauma Minor trauma Intensive care patients How can a massive influx of patients be handled What alternate sites for care exist What transportation resources are available for distributing treated patients efficiently to maintain ED inflow and outflow What alternate shelter sources exist What preparations for mass decontamination are in place This survey must be continually repeated to ensure that the latest data are available to planners. 

Hospital emergency departments must consider themselves part of the overall response which starts with the HAZMAT organisational, rescue primary medical care and decontamination on site. Contact must be established and maintained with the on-site emergency teams and particularly with the ambulance services who are involved in the evacuation to ensure that patients are properly triaged and distributed to the receiving hospitals available. 

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