MEDizzy - An explosion occurred at a nearby factory at 1800 hours. An

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Medical Emergency

An explosion occurred at a nearby factory at 1800 hours. An emergency department charge nurse receives a call from the emergency management systems (EMS) personnel that 35 clients will be transported to the hospital within 10 minutes by ambulance. These clients were triaged at the scene as red and yellow according to the NATO mass casualty categories; others will be coming, and the unit is already short-staffed. Which action should the nurse initiate first?

ExplanationEvery health-care facility is required by the Joint Commission to have a plan in place for emergency preparedness. The activation response defines where, how, and when the response should be initiated. Individuals triaged as red have injuries that are life threatening but survivable with minimal intervention. Yellow priority indicates injuries are significant and require medical care, but can wait hours without threat to life. The nursing director would be notified as part of the emergency response plan. The emergency response plan needs to include plans for people and staff management and for coordinated patient care into and out of the facility, including transfers to other facilities. The nurse receiving the call does not call for extra staff or make the determination to reroute clients.