Disaster and Mass Casualty Incident Planning Guide for Healthcare Professionals

About the Course:
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the core mandate a facility should establish in the event of a disaster or mass casualty incident (MCI).
• Define disasters and mass casualty incidents, and the risk assessment involved in developing an emergency response plan.
• Describe the clinical application of three triage systems, START, SALT, and SOFA.
• Detail the stepwise approach for establishing effective responses for Level 1, 2, and 3 disasters, and the thresholds for each.
• Describe a resource survey to determine the availability of resources, what will be needed, and what can be obtained.
• Detail the five layers of protection in a facility security response plan.
• Describe the considerations involved in an emergency response evacuation plan and relocation to austere sites.
• Describe recovery planning when returning to normal operations after a disaster or mass casualty incident is over.

Dave E. Swift, RRT, has been a registered respiratory therapist since 1983. In 1999, Mr. Swift was tasked with facilitating Ottawa Hospital’s preparation for Y2K. Taking an active interest in emergency preparedness, he began his training in disaster and emergency preparedness. In 2007, Mr. Swift became the subject-matter expert and respiratory therapy team lead for the National Office of the Healthcare Emergency Response Team (NOHERT), a Canadian federal team for Health Canada. His instruction included chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRN) train-the-trainer (provided by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Army Medical Command, Dietrich, Maryland), emergency response in austere locations, and disaster management and planning. With the disbanding of  NOHERT in 2012, Mr. Swift continued his activities as a monthly columnist for Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine and assisted with the review and update of Strategic National Stockpile (including the national mechanical ventilator pool’s selection). As a charge therapist and campus coordinator at the OttawaHospital–Civic Campus, Mr. Swift’s responsibilities include developing and maintaining his department’s emergency response plan. Because of its location in Canada’s national capital, the Ottawa Hospital is designated as the lead organization in any CBRN event.

How to receive credit

• Read the entire course online or in print which requires a 2-hour commitment of time.
• Depending on your state requirements you will be asked to complete:
• A mandatory test (a passing score of 75 percent is required). Test questions link content to learning objectives as a method to enhance individualized learning and material retention.
• Provide required personal information and
• payment information.
• Complete the mandatory Course Evaluation.
• Print your Certificate of Completion.

Disclosures
Resolution of Conflict of Interest
Colibri Healthcare, LLC implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of the continuing education activity, to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of the course activity.

Sponsorship/Commercial Support and Non-Endorsement It is the policy of Colibri Healthcare, LLC not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.

Disclaimer:  The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. ©2020: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge of the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal, or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing, but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation nor circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials. Quotes are collected from customer feedback surveys. The models are intended to be representative and not actual customers.