Ugelvik KS, Thomassen Ø, Braut GS, Geisner T, Sjøvold JE, Agri J, Montan C. Evaluation of prehospital preparedness for major incidents on a national level, with focus on mass casualty incidents.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024;
50:945-957. [PMID:
38117294 PMCID:
PMC11249512 DOI:
10.1007/s00068-023-02386-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To investigate prehospital preparedness work for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) and Major Incidents (MI) in Norway.
METHOD
A national cross-sectional descriptive study of Norway's prehospital MI preparedness through a web-based survey. A representative selection of Rescue and Emergency Services were included, excluding Non-Governmental Organisations and military. The survey consisted of 59 questions focused on organisation, planning, education/training, exercises and evaluation.
RESULTS
Totally, 151/157 (96%) respondents answered the survey. The results showed variance regarding contingency planning for MCI/MI, revisions of the plans, use of national triage guidelines, knowledge requirements, as well as haemostatic and tactical first aid skills training. Participation in interdisciplinary on-going life-threatening violence (PLIVO) exercises was high among Ambulance, Police and Fire/Rescue Emergency Services. Simulations of terrorist attacks or disasters with multiple injured the last five years were reported by 21/151 (14%) on a regional level and 74/151 (48%) on a local level. Evaluation routines after MCI/MI events were reported by half of the respondents (75/151) and 70/149 (47%) described a dedicated function to perform such evaluation.
CONCLUSION
The study indicates considerable variance and gaps among Prehospital Rescue and Emergency Services in Norway regarding MCI/MI preparedness work, calling for national benchmarks, minimum requirements, follow-up routines of the organisations and future reassessments. Implementation of mandatory PLIVO exercises seems to have contributed to interdisciplinary exercises between Fire/Rescue, Police and Ambulance Emergency Service. Repeated standardised surveys can be a useful tool to assess and follow-up the MI preparedness work among Prehospital Rescue and Emergency Services at a national, regional and local level.
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