Major incident preparedness: a curriculum and workplace necessity
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COMMENTARY
Open Access
Major incident preparedness: a curriculum and workplace necessity Dominic Hampson
Abstract Major incidents are defined as: An event or situation with a range of serious consequences, which require special arrangements to be implemented by one, or more emergency responder agency. The ability for a healthcare system to respond effectively relies upon multiple component parts working effectively. Simulating, understanding and learning from major incidents is not widespread throughout the wider healthcare setting. However, anyone can be involved without warning. Staff working in any healthcare setting should have the knowledge and skills to respond to major incidents. It is time to include major incident response and emergency planning into the undergraduate medical curriculum. Further, it should be mandatory in all routine staff and student training. These events occur infrequently, but if managed poorly can be disastrous. This new significance placed on emergency preparedness will equip staff to face these challenges and deliver improved outcomes. Keywords: Major incident preparedness, Emergency planning, Education
Background Major incidents are rare events that can cause multiple causalities to present to hospitals. The ability for a hospital to prepare and manage such events is dependent on awareness, education and rehearsal. Staff must be informed and well-practiced with a major incident plan, in order to deliver quality healthcare and reduce a potential catastrophic loss of life. Main text and conclusion “Major incident declared. Go to your action station and read your action card”. This text message or tannoy announcement may be familiar to experienced emergency medicine and intensive care consultants. However, for junior doctors, medical students and allied staff it may create confusion and panic. Major incidents are defined as: An event or situation with a range of serious consequences, which require special arrangements to be implemented by one, or more Correspondence: [email protected]; [email protected] St Mary’s Hospital, London, Paddington W2 1NY, UK
emergency responder agency [1]. Organisations including hospitals, ambulance services and prehospital organisations respond to such incidents. Major incidents include mass casualty events such as terrorist activity, transport accidents and natural disasters. The ability for a healthcare system to respond effectively relies upon multiple component parts working efficiently. The command and control structure, communication and safety rank amongst the most important [2]. There are clinicians and resilience planners who develop and plan for these infrequent but substantial events. Organisations of all sizes, both healthcare and non- healthcare, will have bespoke plans to underpin their response [3]. However, simulating, understanding and learning from major incidents is not widespread throughout the staff who form these organisations [4]. This crucial knowledge remains limited to those who work in emergency preparedness o
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