Disaster Care Programs

Hospital Disaster Triage

This class was designed to assist hospitals in deciding upon a triage strategy that would work for their specific institution during a mass casualty incident. The participants were given a scenario with 30 patient cards and asked to triage the patients using both START (JumpSTART for pediatrics) and SACO and then to compare their answers to the instructors.  Each case was discussed as a group and the rationale for the scores, as well as ease of use, train-the-trainer opportunity, and level of detail needed for the receiving Emergency Department. After the class, the institution was well positioned to decide upon the institution’s triage method and further training needs.

Medical Shelter Operations

This class is designed for the Medical Reserve Corps members to review needed skill sets and learn about shelter operations.  The trainings consist of two phases.  

Phase I focuses on reviewing basic skills required in a shelter with a medical component and includes the following stations: 

1. Respiratory – O2 delivery systems, CPAP, chest PT, suctioning techniques, neb set up and delivery, MDI and spacer delivery, clinical pearls 

2. Medical emergency stabilization – EpiPen administration, Immunization techniques, early MI care, rapid CPR refresh (no certification), respiratory distress 

3. Wound care – debriding, packing, sedation strategies 

4. Splinting – splinting, sling/swath, position of function, CSM checks

5. Patient movement – body mechanics for transferring patients (bed to bed, bed to wheelchair, etc.), rolling patient, bariatric transfers, make-shift transfer belt using sheet.  

Phase II incorporates more advanced concepts in shelter operations, including stations set up in actual designated shelter location. These include (but are not limited to):  Registration, Toileting, Parking/Traffic Pattern, Treatment Area, (crash bed, staff emergencies, sick call), Pharmacy, Safety/Security, Temporary Morgue Space; Billeting for staff, Infection Control (hand washing stations, isolation), Auxiliary Power (location, safety), Command Post (planning, admin, ops, social media, connectivity, communications), Staffing, Wrap Around Services, Food Distribution, and Demobilization.