Setting up a triage facility during a disaster

Triage or first emergency treatments can save lives during disasters, pandemics, or attacks. But giving emergency care in hospitals may be pose as a challenge. In a 2001 senate hearing, Tara J. O’Toole, M.D., M.P.H., who is now working Center for Health Security, gave testimony that hospitals may not be equipped to handle a surge of 1000 patients. Hospital capacity has improved since then, says public health expert Martin Sanders, but it’s still essential to find ways to set up alternate care sites as a means to prepare for disasters.Prior to any disaster or incident, local government and public institutions should begin identifying types of structures they can tap as surge hospitals. This list can include closed-down hospitals and vacant and sizeable nonmedical buildings like hangars, warehouses, veterinary hospitals, convention centers, hotels, and arenas, as well as mobile or portable medical facilities. Once planners list and identify these sites, they will need to evaluate what kind of adjustments will be needed to accommodate patients. Planners will also need to coordinate with other agencies, from local to regional, in order to assure plans can be operationalized during a disaster.

After finding the structures, planners or organizers need to ensure that they can acquire medical personnel to staff these triage facilities. Staffing requisition strategies can involve hiring retired or unemployed medical personnel, getting doctors and nurses from non-emergency units, getting reserve military medical personnel assigned to the facilities, training a pool of volunteers, and guaranteeing the safety of medical personnel to make sure they will willingly answer the call for help.

As for medical supplies, planners should create partnerships with local medical suppliers and medical offices and either buy medical supplies or ask for donations. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also keeps large quantities of medical supplies for emergencies via its Strategic National Stockpile program, and responders can tap them during emergencies. Considering the case of Louisiana during the typhoon, delivery of these supplies may get delayed, so planners should account for the possibility.With foresight and planning, we can mitigate the number of casualties during disasters and attacks, adds Martin Sanders. Setting up surge hospitals and triage facilities during such a time will be mission-critical in saving as many lives as possible.

Capt. Martin Sanders Ph.D., has completed all requirements needed to obtain a certification as an Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). For more insightful reads on public safety, visit this site.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.