Development of MCI Supply Carts (Live)-Handout: Development of MCI Supply Carts

Handout: Development of MCI Supply Carts

Pdf Summary

The "Development of MCI Supply Carts" presentation led by Sarah Hoeppner, a Trauma Program Manager, highlights strategies for preparing hospitals to handle mass casualty incidents (MCI) by creating supply carts to augment surge capacity. The necessity of preparation is underscored by events like the Pulse nightclub shooting and the Las Vegas tragedy, where lack of supplies hindered patient care. Each incident's increased demand revealed the critical need for hospitals to have pre-stocked and strategically placed supply carts.<br /><br />The presentation outlines the importance of recognizing MCI supply readiness, assessing potential patient surges, and determining appropriate levels of emergency supplies. Hospitals are encouraged to prepare for a potential influx of patients equal to approximately 20% of their bed capacity during MCIs, with a portion allotted for pediatric victims.<br /><br />The readiness strategy involves stocking six types of carts categorized by the severity of injuries anticipated during MCIs: Red (critical), Yellow (serious), and Green (minor). These carts should contain essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), airway management devices, chest tubes, central line kits, and combat gauze, among others. Each cart is tailored for specific triage needs and emphasizes the importance of having readily available resources to ensure efficient patient care during an emergency.<br /><br />The planning also advocates for hospital disaster committees, regular drills, and coordination with local and regional emergency services to ensure prompt responsiveness and effective disaster management. This preparedness approach is further supported by literature and case studies that stress the significance of having a strategic, all-hazards emergency preparedness plan.<br /><br />The document concludes with an appeal to overcome cost and perceived need hesitations, fueled by lessons learned from past incidents, especially in light of experiences like the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the unpredictability of "never events."

Keywords

MCI supply carts

mass casualty incidents

hospital preparedness

surge capacity

emergency supplies

triage carts

disaster management

emergency preparedness

hospital disaster committees

COVID-19 pandemic