An Integral Hospital Response Protocol for Emergencies and Disasters from the Emergency Department

Abstract

Introduction:

Mexico has suffered multiple social and natural events that tested its response capacity. Hospital units of the third level of care are an axis of response and a central reference. Guaranteeing their integral and organized response promotes risk prevention and mitigation strategy in emergencies and disasters.

Aim:

To analyze the national and international regulations and the existing documents about emergency and disasters related to a hospital with the identification of the critical actors in the response.

Methods:

This research consists of a cross-sectional and descriptive study with a mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), that generates a protocol for response in a third level care hospital. Quantitative analysis was carried out using central tendency measurements based on a surveys (training, knowledge) performed in the hospital services that provide a critical response with the ED in emergencies or disasters (ED, ICU, Supplies, Nursing, Operating Room, Security, Hospital Admission, Crisis Committee). In the quantitative analysis, the staff were interviewed about their experience in responding to previous events (to the same critical services), recognizing importance and points of improvement with a discourse analysis methodology.

Results:

With the information collected and based on the protocols of Safe Hospital program (PAHO/WHO) we generated a protocol organized by the ED that involves massive victims.

Discussion:

Regulations oblige hospital units to have protocols of action in critical situations linked to Safe Hospital program, so it is a great tool for planning. All the surveyed personnel consider that it is important to have a plan that allows for immediate steps to ensure quality and timely patient care, considering it an ethical and social obligation. Analysis suggests that continuous training and the contribution of an operational plan per service provide security and better prognosis to the victims. The protocol includes all critical response services with a clinical practice guide.