SCCM Resource Library-Augmenting Critical Care Capacity During a Disaster

Pdf Summary

The document discusses critical care surge capacity during disasters, emphasizing the importance of preparing Intensive Care Units (ICUs) to respond effectively to mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Surge capacity is defined as the ability to expand healthcare services rapidly under extreme circumstances and is framed around four key components: staff, space, stuff (equipment and supplies), and structure (management infrastructure).

Key components of surge capacity include:
- <strong>Staff</strong>: Ensuring appropriate training and strategies such as disaster privileges among healthcare providers to expand the staffing pool. Challenges like healthcare worker shortages and logistical issues might require extended shifts and cross-institutional collaborations.
- <strong>Space</strong>: Managing the sudden need for ICU beds by freeing up space, such as discharging stable patients and using alternative spaces like PACU and emergency departments for temporary patient care.
- <strong>Stuff</strong>: Maintaining and quickly acquiring essential supplies and equipment through inventory management and collaborations with nearby institutions. The strain on resources during disasters makes stockpiling difficult and potentially costly.
- <strong>Structure</strong>: Implementing effective management strategies, such as incident command systems, to navigate disaster demands and integrate ICU operations within broader disaster response frameworks.

Telemedicine plays a crucial role in extending critical care capabilities by providing remote support and expertise, helping maintain care continuity, and potentially reducing the need for transporting patients. It can support triage processes and offer specialty consultations, thereby optimizing resource allocation during a crisis.

Lastly, medical transport options are vital for redistributing patients and optimizing resource allocation across multiple facilities. Effective planning includes choosing the most appropriate transport mode and ensuring proper staffing and equipment during transfers, aided by strong inter-hospital communication and agreements.

The case study about a train derailment involving a chemical leak illustrates these points, highlighting the necessity of strategic planning and rapid mobilization of resources, staff, and telemedicine capabilities to manage a surge in patients efficiently.

Asset Subtitle

Crisis Management, 2022, 0:15:00

Asset Caption

An ICU’s response to a surge or major catastrophic event must be part of the overall disaster plan. A healthcare system must be able to rapidly accommodate an increased demand for services under extenuating circumstances. This chapter from Fundamental Critical Care Support: Crisis Management reviews the three key components of surge capacity are Staff, Space to accommodate the surge of patients, staff, and equipment, and Stuff (equipment, supplies, and medications).

Meta Tag

Content Type Book Chapter

Knowledge Area Crisis Management

Knowledge Level Intermediate

Knowledge Level Advanced

Membership Level Nonmember

Membership Level Associate

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Select

Tag Facilities Management

Tag Resource Allocation

Year 2022

Keywords

critical care

surge capacity

disasters

Intensive Care Units

mass casualty incidents

staffing strategies

telemedicine

resource allocation

medical transport

incident command systems

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