ABSTRACT
A high number of fatalities can occur during major disasters or during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. In a natural disaster, the dead must be removed from disaster sites while rescue work is in progress; otherwise, the health and safety of the community are threatened. The COVID-19 pandemic is analogous to a natural disaster with mass casualties where the disaster sites are hospitals with morgues that are overwhelmed. As the number of the deceased rise rapidly and hospital morgues are at their full capacity, hospitals use what is called a Body Collection Point (BCP). BCP is defined as a temporary refrigeration unit used to store decedents until transport is arranged. Decedents should always be handled in a manner denoting respect, and provisions and management of resources should be properly mobilized to ensure this. Contingency plans must be created to prepare for worsening of the disaster that further overwhelms the capacity of the health care systems.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Disaster Planning , Mass Casualty Incidents , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
There are many forms of mass casualty events, including mass trauma, exposure to radiation and chemical agents, biological exposure (pandemics and bioterrorism), or a combination of insults. The underlying theme is that the number and severity of patients outstrip the resources available. These events are more common than thought. Planning and preparation allow institutions to better respond to the patient surge and thus mitigate the consequences-ultimately saving lives and reducing morbidity.
Subject(s)
Mass Casualty Incidents , Humans , TriageABSTRACT
Since December 2019, the world is potentially facing one of the most difficult infectious situations of the last decades. COVID-19 epidemic warrants consideration as a mass casualty incident (MCI) of the highest nature. An optimal MCI/disaster management should consider all four phases of the so-called disaster cycle: mitigation, planning, response, and recovery. COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated the worldwide unpreparedness to face a global MCI.This present paper thus represents a call for action to solicitate governments and the Global Community to actively start effective plans to promote and improve MCI management preparedness in general, and with an obvious current focus on COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Civil Defense/standards , Coronavirus Infections , Disaster Planning/standards , Mass Casualty Incidents , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , COVID-19 , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Global Health , Human Rights/standards , Humans , Mass Casualty Incidents/classification , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
The current COVID-19 pandemic underlines the importance of a mindful utilization of financial and human resources. Preserving resources and manpower is paramount in healthcare. It is important to ensure the ability of surgeons and specialized professionals to function through the pandemic. A conscious effort should be made to minimize infection in this sector. A high mortality rate within this group would be detrimental.This manuscript is the result of a collaboration between the major Italian surgical and anesthesiologic societies: ACOI, SIC, SICUT, SICO, SICG, SIFIPAC, SICE, and SIAARTI. We aim to describe recommended clinical pathways for COVID-19-positive patients requiring acute non-deferrable surgical care. All hospitals should organize dedicated protocols and workforce training as part of the effort to face the current pandemic.