MVI

MULTIPLE VICTIM INCIDENTS

OBJECTIVES

Describe the key factors of an organized response to multiple victim incidents Recognize the relationship between a normal day to day medical aid call, expanded into a multiple victim incident, expanded into a mass casualty incident Understand the major incident command components of a multiple victim incident

What is a Multiple Victim Incident (MVI)?

MVI DEFINED

A multiple victim incident is a medical emergency which exceeds normal first response capabilities and is severe enough to require the use of a streamlined mode of operation to assure proper patient treatment

What are some of the problems that you have encountered on an MVI?

IDENTIFIED MVI PROBLEMS

NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Who is responsible for requesting additional manpower and equipment?

TRIAGE PROBLEMS

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRIAGE? Little / none / or improper triage performed

EMS PROBLEMS

NO EMS INCIDENT COMMAND STRUCTURE

Paramedics performing operational functions instead of treating patients Whos in charge of the scene v.s. whos in charge of the patient

COMMUNICATIONS

Confusion with multiple radiomen

Single radioman (radioman overloaded)

TRANSPORTATION

Extended scene-time waiting for ground and air ambulances Ambulances blocking exiting from the scene Split ambulance crews (need to locate to transport)

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Reluctance to admit errors Good old boy (pat yourself on the back syndrome) System improvement accountability

We must use the Incident Command System (ICS) on small incidents in order for it to be useful on large incidents

What is the difference between a Multiple Victim Incident (MVI) and a Mass-Casualty Incident?

We have learned from our firefighting experience that if we dont approach a single dwelling house fire, from an incident command point of view, we really mess up the bigger fires

MVI INCIDENT COMMAND POSITIONS

INCIDENT COMMANDER

TRIAGE UNIT LEADER TREATMENT UNIT LEADER MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR AMBULANCE MANAGER

INCIDENT COMMANDER
Identify and prioritize problems Assign triage function Determine total number of patients Declare the incident an MVI Request additional resources Assign staging areas Assign and brief staff

TRIAGE PERSONNEL

Return triage tag ends to supervisor Safety considerations

Provide medical treatment when appropriate

TREATMENT UNIT LEADER

Request sufficient medical teams Identify priority patients Request medical equipment and supplies Use Standing Orders Re-triage

MEDICAL COMMUNICATIOINS COORDINATOR (MED-COM)

Usually a paramedic position Open communications immediately Communicates with medical control Transmit scene information Locate the most critical patient Receive briefing from treatment team Coordinate with ambulance manager

AMBULANCE MANAGER
Ambulance staging established early Ambulance crews staged with units Supervise patient movement Report time ambulances off-scene

FIRST RESPONDERS

It is essential to the plan that working positions are assigned first This means build from the bottom up If only a few Responders initially arrive onscene, the IC may also be the Triage Unit Leader, and part of the Triage Personnel

PARAMEDICS

Paramedic resources are limited so they should be used for treatment and not managing

MVI INCIDENT COMMAND STRUCTURE

INCIDENT COMMANDER

TRIAGE UNIT LEADER

TREATMENT UNIT LEADER

MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

AMBULANCE STAGING MANAGER

TRIAGE PERSONNEL

IMMEDIATE TREATMENT TEAM

DELAYED TREATMENT TEAM

MINOR TREATMENT TEAM

First Responder Group Regular Medical Aid Call

INCIDENT COMMANDER

TREATMENT UNIT LEADER (MED-COM)

IMMEDIATE TREATMENT TEAM

Are there any questions or comments about the Multiple Victim Incident System?