A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A method for detailed determination of hospital surge capacity : a prerequisite for optimal preparedness for mass-casualty incidents
Background Defined goals for hospitals ability to handle mass-casualty incidents (MCI) are a prerequisite for optimal planning as well as training, and also as base for quality assurance and improvement. This requires methods to test individual hospitals in sufficient detail to numerically determine surge capacity for different components of the hospitals. Few such methods have so far been available. The aim of the present study was with the use of a simulation model well proven and validated for training to determine capacity-limiting factors in a number of hospitals, identify how these factors were related to each other and also possible measures for improvement of capacity. Materials and methods As simulation tool was used the MACSIM (R) system, since many years used for training in the international MRMI courses and also successfully used in a pilot study of surge capacity in a major hospital. This study included 6 tests in three different hospitals, in some before and after re-organisation, and in some both during office- and non-office hours. Results The primary capacity-limiting factor in all hospitals was the capacity to handle severely injured patients (major trauma) in the emergency department. The load of such patients followed in all the tests a characteristic pattern with "peaks" corresponding to ambulances return after re-loading. Already the first peak exceeded the hospitals capacity for major trauma, and the following peaks caused waiting times for such patients leading to preventable mortality according to the patient-data provided by the system. This emphasises the need of an immediate and efficient coordination of the distribution of casualties between hospitals. The load on surgery came in all tests later, permitting either clearing of occupied theatres (office hours) or mobilising staff (non-office hours) sufficient for all casualties requiring immediate surgery. The final capacity-limiting factors in all tests was the access to intensive care, which also limited the capacity for surgery. On ...
A method for detailed determination of hospital surge capacity : a prerequisite for optimal preparedness for mass-casualty incidents
Background Defined goals for hospitals ability to handle mass-casualty incidents (MCI) are a prerequisite for optimal planning as well as training, and also as base for quality assurance and improvement. This requires methods to test individual hospitals in sufficient detail to numerically determine surge capacity for different components of the hospitals. Few such methods have so far been available. The aim of the present study was with the use of a simulation model well proven and validated for training to determine capacity-limiting factors in a number of hospitals, identify how these factors were related to each other and also possible measures for improvement of capacity. Materials and methods As simulation tool was used the MACSIM (R) system, since many years used for training in the international MRMI courses and also successfully used in a pilot study of surge capacity in a major hospital. This study included 6 tests in three different hospitals, in some before and after re-organisation, and in some both during office- and non-office hours. Results The primary capacity-limiting factor in all hospitals was the capacity to handle severely injured patients (major trauma) in the emergency department. The load of such patients followed in all the tests a characteristic pattern with "peaks" corresponding to ambulances return after re-loading. Already the first peak exceeded the hospitals capacity for major trauma, and the following peaks caused waiting times for such patients leading to preventable mortality according to the patient-data provided by the system. This emphasises the need of an immediate and efficient coordination of the distribution of casualties between hospitals. The load on surgery came in all tests later, permitting either clearing of occupied theatres (office hours) or mobilising staff (non-office hours) sufficient for all casualties requiring immediate surgery. The final capacity-limiting factors in all tests was the access to intensive care, which also limited the capacity for surgery. On ...
A method for detailed determination of hospital surge capacity : a prerequisite for optimal preparedness for mass-casualty incidents
Montán, Kristina Lennquist (author) / Örtenwall, Per (author) / Blimark, Magnus (author) / Montán, Carl (author) / Lennquist, Sten (author)
2022-01-01
ISI:000859673500001
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
DDC:
690
Hospital Emergency Response Network for Mass Casualty Incidents
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015
Mass Casualty Decon for Terrorist Incidents
| British Library Online Contents | 1998
EMS Response Actions in Mass Casualty Incidents
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2017
TEAMS ENHANCE PREPAREDNESS FOR COMPLEX INCIDENTS
| British Library Online Contents | 2007