EMS Disaster Medicine

 

                                         

 

No experience in prehospital medicine is complete without an introduction to emergency management and specifically disaster response. EMS personnel have a significant amount of experience in the process of triage, and the ability to rapidly categorize a large number of casualties is essential to an orderly disaster response. In addition, core principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) are incorporated into daily operations in emergency medical services. Whether serving as a first responder or a hospital based provider, the ability to organize resources efficiently is key to rendering aid during a mass casualty or surge incident. The University of Maryland School of Medicine's rotation in emergency medical services features various educational platforms to familiarize health care providers with disaster operations. 

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Emergency physicians are positioned on the front lines of health care delivery. The ability to manage multiple patients, often simultaneously, is essential to the efficient practice of emergency medicine. This skill readily translates into the realm of disaster medicine. Emergency physicians are well suited to leadership roles on emergency planning committees. The execution of large scale mass casualty drills requires a working knowledge of triage principles, emergency medicine, and the incident command system. Emergency medicine residents and medical students will complete an online emergency management curriculum that is subdivided into the following setcions:

1. FEMA National Incident Management System / Incident Command System Courses 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency  (FEMA) offers free, online courses for health providers and members of the public. These courses are specifically designed to familiarize students with key components of the incident command system (ICS). Residents and students will complete multiple online courses related to Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, National Repsonse Framework, and Active Shooter. By completing these courses, students and residents will position themselves at an advantage in the future when working clinical and administrative physician roles.  

2. Disasterous Didactics
Several articles and case studies have been selected for review. These readings offer students insight into the "real-world" implementation of disaster preparedness. The didactic curriculum incorporates review articles, policy statements, and provides the resident/medical student with a working knowledge of basic emergency management principles. 
 
3. Triage Systems
Though emergency physicians are familiar with the art of triage, or sorting, the process of sorting through multiple casualties is a bit different. Triage systems serve to identify the most critically ill patients who might benefit from an immediate application of life saving interventions. As opposed to routine clinical practice where a focus on the individual patient is paramount, disaster medicine encourages clinicians to consider all available resources when deciding upon initial interventions. The online curriculum reviews existing triage paradigms and state specific protocols.

4. Experiential rotations in disaster response and emergency preparedness
When available, rotators who complete (1) FEMA ICS courses, and (2) required readings, will be afforded the opportunity to be enrolled in the four hour practical decontamination course. The decon course provides students with hands-on experience in the use of personal protective equipment. Other practice experiences include:

• Triage / mass casualty drills
• Table top exercises
• Mass gathering medical support
• Event Medicine