(P1-38) Emergency Department Preparedness for Training Management Plan towards Mass Casualty Incidents

Abstract

It is important to equip emergency department (ED) staff with skills to manage mass casualty incidents (MCI) as disasters strike without warning. Our hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, has been the national screening centre for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) and H1N1 outbreaks in 2003 and 2009. Furthermore, our ED has managed casualties from mass food poisoning in the community. We would like to share our experiences in training our staff for MCI. For the ED to operate smoothly in a MCI, comprehensive training of staff during “peace” time is essential. We have a selected team of doctors and nurses as the department disaster workgroup. This team, together with the hospital emergency planning department, prepare the disaster protocols using an “all hazard approach concept” and aim to minimise variations between different protocols (Conventional, Infectious disease, Hazmat, Radioactive MCI). These protocols are updated regularly, with new information disseminated to all staff. Next, all staff must be well-versed in the protocols. New staffs undergo orientation programmes to familiarize them with the work processes. Regular audits are conducted to ensure that the quality is well-maintained. Additionally, training also occurs at the inter-departmental and national levels. There are regular activation exercises to test inter-departmental response to MCI and collaborations with Ministry of Health to conduct disaster exercises e.g. the biennial Kingfisher Exercise in preparation for radiation-related MCI. Such exercises improve communication and working relationships within the ED and with other departments. The camaraderie developed can act as a pillar of support during stressful times of MCI. Lastly, the ED staffs attend local and international courses and conferences to update ourselves on the latest training and knowledge in the handling of MCI. This allows us to share our ideas and to learn from our local and international counterparts, and helps better prepare ourselves.