A multiple casualty incident clinical tracking form for civilian hospitals

Authors

  • Spiros G. Frangos, MD, MPH
  • Marko Bukur, MD
  • Cherisse Berry, MD
  • Manish Tandon, MD, MBA
  • Leandra Krowsoski, MD
  • Mark Bernstein, MD
  • Charles DiMaggio, PhD
  • Rajneesh Gulati, MD
  • Michael J. Klein, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2020.0471

Keywords:

mass casualty incident, MCI, trauma, tracking, triage

Abstract

Background: While mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) may have competing absolute definitions, a universally accepted criterion is one that strains locally available resources. In the fall of 2017, a MCI occurred in New York and Bellevue Hospital received multiple injured patients within minutes; lessons learned included the need for a formalized, efficient patient and injury tracking system. Our objective was to create an organized MCI clinical tracking form for civilian trauma centers.

Methods: After the MCI, the notes of the surgeon responsible for directing patient triage were analyzed. A succinct, organized template was created that allows MCI directors to track demographics, injuries, interventions, and other important information for multiple patients in a real-time fashion. This tool was piloted during a subsequent MCI.

Results: In late 2018, the hospital received six patients following another MCI. They arrived within a 4-minute window, with 5 patients being critically injured. Two emergent surgeries and angioembolizations were performed. The tool was used by the MCI director to prioritize and expedite care. All physicians agreed that the tool assisted in organizing diagnostic and therapeutic triage.

Conclusions: During MCIs, a streamlined patient tracking template assists with information recall and communication between providers and may allow for expedited care.

Author Biographies

Spiros G. Frangos, MD, MPH

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Marko Bukur, MD

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Cherisse Berry, MD

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Manish Tandon, MD, MBA

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Leandra Krowsoski, MD

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Mark Bernstein, MD

Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Charles DiMaggio, PhD

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Rajneesh Gulati, MD

Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

Michael J. Klein, MD

Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, New York City, New York

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Published

05/01/2020

How to Cite

Frangos, MD, MPH, S. G., M. Bukur, MD, C. Berry, MD, M. Tandon, MD, MBA, L. Krowsoski, MD, M. Bernstein, MD, C. DiMaggio, PhD, R. Gulati, MD, and M. J. Klein, MD. “A Multiple Casualty Incident Clinical Tracking Form for Civilian Hospitals”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 18, no. 3, May 2020, pp. 261-6, doi:10.5055/jem.2020.0471.

Issue

Section

Articles