Abstract
Background: Functional exercises represent an important link between disaster planning
and disaster response. Although these exercises are widely performed, no standardized
method exists for their evaluation. Study Objectives: To describe a simple and objective
method to assess medical performance during functional exercise events. Methods: An
evaluation tool comprising three data fields (triage, clinical maneuvers, and radio
usage), accompanied by direct anecdotal observational methods, was used to evaluate
a large functional mass casualty incident exercise. Results: Seventeen medical responders
managed 112 victims of a simulated building explosion. Although 81% of the patients
were assigned the appropriate triage codes, evacuation from the site did not follow
in priority. Required maneuvers were performed correctly in 85.2% of airway maneuvers
and 78.7% of breathing maneuvers, however, significant under-treatment occurred, possibly
due to equipment shortages. Extensive use of radio communication was documented. In
evaluating this tool, the structured markers were informative, but further information
provided by direct observation was invaluable. Conclusion: A three-part tool (triage,
medical maneuvers, and radio usage) can provide a method to evaluate functional mass
casualty incident exercises, and is easily implemented. For the best results, it should
be used in conjunction with direct observation. The evaluation tool has great potential
as a reproducible and internationally recognized tool for evaluating disaster management
exercises.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 01, 2009
Accepted:
March 26,
2009
Received in revised form:
December 18,
2008
Received:
August 8,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
