Mass Casualty Evacuation and Patient Movement

1

What are casualty collection points that are used during a mass casualty incident?

These are areas that have been designated to move patients from the scene of the incident. They need to be in a safe area, usually a distance from the scene, and should not be accessible to the public. The collection points usually coincide with the levels of triage to help keep patients organized. Patients are moved to these areas by any means possible, including walking, wheelchairs, litters, or flexible stretchers.

2

What are the overall steps in casualty movement and evacuation during a mass casualty incident?

• Evaluate the current situation.

  • This means identifying any threats at the scene, estimating the number of patients, and figuring out the resources available and the resources needed for transportation.

• Develop a plan for evacuation.

  • Once the situation is evaluated, use that knowledge along with the availability of healthcare facilities to figure out a plan for patient evacuation.

• Implement the plan and perform effective communication.

  • Execution of a plan will require flexibility and adaptability. There will need to be communication with the incident commander, 911 dispatch, and the emergency operations center.

3

How do we estimate the number of patients and the mode of transportation they will need?

The estimate of patients present will be calculated as they are moved to the casualty collection points. At the casualty collection points, triage will determine the level of medical care needed using a triage system. The mode of transportation the patient will need will likely be determined by the triage level of care. This level of care can change and patients will have frequent reevaluations at these collection points. Minimal medical care is actually given at the casualty collection points.