DPT 8.0
Maximal Utilization of Hospital Space
•Identify alternative medical
treatment areas
•Planning for use of available
space
–Open areas
–Isolated areas
–Temporary morgue
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MAXIMAL UTILIZATION OF HOSPITAL SPACE

Alternative medical treatment areas could be identified to help prevent overwhelming the hospital’s resources, especially those in the emergency department.  These alternative sites may be internal (the cafeteria, auditorium, outpatients clinics, etc.) or external (schools, sporting facilities, retail centers, etc.) to the hospital.  Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) may be established with these outside facilities to ensure proper utilization in times of crisis.  In addition, an MOA could be established with the local Department of Transportation or busing company to help assist in victim transport.  In the case of a confirmed biological agent attack, these alternative treatment areas may serve as an outlet to distribute appropriate medications and HEPA filter masks to treat and prevent secondary infections.

Plan to use all available space.  An important way to maximize the existing resources at your hospital is to make space usage a part of the overall disaster planning process.  Because response to NBC terrorism could thrust extraordinary demands on a healthcare institution, the timely response to a wave of victims could hinge partly on pre-designating suitable areas of the hospital for specialized functions.  Large exterior open areas might be perfect for external decontamination, while large indoor areas could serve as patient holding and retriage centers.  Isolated areas with controlled access could function in additional specialized roles, such as overflow treatment areas for biological casualties; and for security and efficiency reasons, the hospital’s command and control functions could also be overseen in a secure area.  An additional space planning issue already addressed in many disaster plans is designation of temporary morgue facilities to serve as a secure holding site for the least fortunate victims.