Function 4

	Management of Patient Distribution and Medical Evacuation
	LEMSA Roles: Preparedness – Response - Recovery
	Function Objective (1) Direct the movement of casualties from point of injury to designated receiving facilityies, (2) transfers among medical facilities and (3) transport of patients from medical facilities within the impacted area to other facilities either inside or outside the impacted area.

Element 4.1 Patient dispersal system (plan, & procedures, criteria for destination, etc.)

Standard:

1. LEMSAs shall ensure the development of develop plans, policies and procedures that: (1) direct the movement of casualties from point of injury to designated receiving facilitiesy, (2) assist transfers among medical facilities and (3) coordinate transport of patients from medical facilities within the impacted area to other facilities either inside or outside the impacted area. 2. LEMSAs shall ensure that a system a single point of contact is established that provides primary and alternative points of contact within the Operational Area disaster medical/health organization responsible for coordinating casualty evacuation to or casualty receipt from other Operational Areas.

Guideline 4.1.1

Support Movement of Casualties from Scene to Facilitiesy

LEMSAs should ensure development of plans, policies and procedures for dispersal of patients during disasters that address the following issues:

· Rapid reporting and updating of casualty information and hospital facility capacity to EOC or DOC, if activated.

· Procedures for communicating hospital facility capacity to scene Transportation Manager.

· Non-contact protocols for transporting casualties that (1) directs ambulances transport vehicles to transport to the nearest facility and (2) provides alternative in the event the facility is non-functional.

· Use of personal and other non-medical vehicles to transport casualties.

Guideline 4.1.2

Assist Transfers Among Facilities

LEMSAs should:

· Support the development of agreements among hospitals facilities to promote coordinated procedures for inter-facility transfers and tracking the movement of patients.

· Develop guidance policies for determining the allocation of ambulances for inter-facility transfers.

Guideline 4.1.3

Coordinate Transport from Medical Facilities

LEMSAs should ensure the development of plans and procedures to support the movement of casualties from damaged or overwhelmed medical facilities to appropriate sources of care within or outside the Operational Area. Plans and procedures should include:

Criteria for determining when patient movement should be coordinated through a central point or coordinated by the sending and receiving hospitals:

· Provisions for assisting hospitals with the acquisition of transportation, destinations and other resources to support the movement of patients.

· Notification from hospitals that have arranged destinations and transportation on their own when contact with the appropriate operations center is not possible.

Guideline 4.1.4

Evacuate and Receive Casualties

LEMSAs should develop plans and procedures for: (1) evacuating casualties to facilities outside the Operational Area if the number of casualties exceeds the capacity of local medical care resources and (2) receiving casualties from other jurisdictions. These plans and procedures should address:

· Guidance for M/H OAC decision making about and coordination of evacuation/receipt of casualties.

· Medical support for staging operations that may require casualty holding for extended periods of time.

· Provisions for tracking casualties evacuated to facilities outside the Operational Area or received and distributed locally.

· Coordination with the American Red Cross to track and register evacuated casualties, notify their family members, and assist with their return, as needed.