Claire Dawson
Setting up a field hospital is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning and rapid execution. Field hospitals are temporary medical facilities established during emergencies, disasters, or conflicts to provide on-site care to casualties before they can be transported to permanent hospitals. They can be set up in various forms, from large tents to inflatable structures or buildings, depending on the context and resources available. The process involves coordinating medical and logistical teams, securing essential equipment and supplies, and establishing critical functions such as electricity, water, and sanitation. Field hospitals play a crucial role in delivering lifesaving treatment and stabilizing patients in challenging and unpredictable environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A temporary hospital or mobile medical unit that treats casualties on-site before they can be transported to permanent facilities |
| Deployment Time | Ideally, within 12 hours of arriving at the setup site |
| Deployment Cost | £250,000 |
| Setup Team | Medical and logistics teams |
| Setup Process | Site assessment, pitching tents, unpacking and arranging equipment |
| Setup Considerations | Security, accessibility, patient needs, local infrastructure |
| Setup Challenges | Communication disruptions, travel time, logistics, terrain |
| Medical Staff | Doctors, medics, first responders |
| Medical Equipment | Mobile medical kit, surgical equipment, medical supplies |
| Medical Services | Triage, resuscitation, intensive care, surgery, maternity care, dental care |
| Patient Capacity | Varies, e.g., 40 outpatients per day (Namibia), 100 outpatients per day (Ukraine) |
| Self-Sufficiency | Accommodation for medics, kitchen, toilets, showers, water purification, power generation, sewage disposal |
| Examples | IDF Field Hospital, MSF Hospital in Haiti, UK-Med Field Hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a secure location
When choosing a location for a field hospital, security and accessibility are paramount. Inflatable tents, for example, are not suitable in a location where there is a risk of bullets or falling debris. The ground must also be flat, as field hospitals are usually erected on plastic flooring.
In an urban environment, field hospitals are often established in easily accessible and highly visible buildings such as restaurants, schools, or hotels. When using an airborne structure, the mobile medical kit is placed in a normalised container, and the container itself is used as shelter.
In the case of a massive disaster, the evacuation may go to a larger field hospital, called a "medical evacuation centre", to avoid overwhelming hospitals. In such cases, the aim is to stabilise casualties before their evacuation to a permanent hospital.
It is important to act quickly when setting up a field hospital, as every hour that passes reduces the chance of finding survivors. However, it is also important to assess the situation and determine how many hospitals are damaged, the types and number of casualties, and how many international medical delegations are on the way.
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Assess the needs of the disaster area
Setting up a field hospital in a disaster area requires a thorough assessment of the needs on the ground. This involves sending an advance team to evaluate the situation and identify the specific requirements of the affected area. The team should consider the following key factors:
Local Medical Facilities
Firstly, it is crucial to assess the status of local hospitals and medical centres. Are they operational, or have they been damaged or overwhelmed by the disaster? Understanding the capacity and capabilities of existing healthcare infrastructure is essential for determining the role and scope of the field hospital.
Casualty Assessment
Conducting a rapid assessment of casualties is vital. This includes estimating the number and type of injuries, as well as the severity of the cases. This information guides the field hospital's preparation in terms of required medical specialties, equipment, and supplies.
Accessibility and Security
The accessibility and security of the chosen site for the field hospital are of utmost importance. Inflatable tents, for example, may not be suitable in areas with falling debris or gunfire. The location should be easily reachable by those seeking medical attention and should provide a safe environment for patients and medical personnel alike.
Water and Electricity
Access to water and electricity are fundamental considerations. Field hospitals require a significant amount of water, especially in warm climates or when dealing with a high patient load. Electricity is also essential for powering medical equipment and maintaining adequate lighting and climate control.
Logistics and Supplies
Assessing the availability of supplies and the logistics of transportation is critical. Tons of equipment may need to be transported over long distances, and the chosen site should have the necessary infrastructure to receive and manage these deliveries. Fuel, sanitation facilities, and food provisions are also essential considerations.
By conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, the field hospital can be tailored to the unique demands of the disaster area, ensuring the most effective utilisation of resources and maximising the chances of saving lives.
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Gather supplies and equipment
Setting up a field hospital requires a massive logistical effort, especially in disaster areas with poor infrastructure. The first step is to send an advance team to assess the needs and find a suitable site for the hospital. Security and accessibility are crucial factors when choosing a location. Inflatable tents are often used, but they may not hold up well in dangerous conditions with falling debris or bullets. Therefore, flat ground is essential when using plastic flooring, which forms the base of the tents.
The field hospital should be self-sufficient to avoid overburdening existing healthcare systems. This includes ensuring access to water, electricity, and sanitation facilities. In Haiti, Doctors Without Borders accessed water from a nearby water tower, requiring at least 26 gallons per bed each day. Two generators, 30 and 60 kV, supplied electricity, and fuel was trucked in from over 200 miles away. Sanitation is also key, with shower and toilet facilities required for both patients and staff.
Medical supplies and equipment are crucial. Tents should be equipped with medical gear identical to that of standard hospitals, including EKG machines, autoclaves for surgical tool sterilization, defibrillators, and laboratory equipment for blood banks. Inflatable tents offer flexibility in their configuration, with entries at the front, middle, and back, allowing for a quick "plug and play" setup.
The type and amount of equipment and drugs will depend on the expected number and severity of casualties. For example, a level one mobile medical kit (PSM1) in France can handle 25 heavy casualties with 400 kg of equipment and drugs, while a level two kit (PSM2) can manage resuscitation care for 500 patients with 8 tons of supplies.
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Set up tents and facilities
Setting up a field hospital is a massive logistical effort that must be performed on a tight deadline. The first step is to send an advance team to assess the needs and find a suitable site for the hospital. Security concerns and accessibility are two major factors to consider when choosing a location. The ground must be flat, and the area should be secure, with protection from bullets and falling debris.
Once the location and security have been confirmed, the setup can begin. The layout of the hospital will depend on the needs of the disaster area. The field hospital may consist of multiple large tents, including a pharmacy, triage area, major injuries and resuscitation unit, and a maternity care tent. Inflatable tents offer flexibility in the layout, with entries at the front, middle, and back, allowing for various configurations.
After the tents have been inflated, the focus shifts to essential utilities such as electricity, water, and sanitation. Generators are used to supply electricity, and water is sourced from nearby sources or trucked in if necessary. Sanitation facilities, such as toilets and showers, are also set up.
Finally, medical equipment is installed, including surgical equipment, EKG machines, autoclaves for surgical tool sterilization, defibrillators, and lab equipment for organising a blood bank. The field hospital should also have facilities for housing and supporting the medical staff, such as kitchens, sleeping tents, and other amenities.
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Coordinate medical staff and resources
Setting up a field hospital requires a massive logistical effort, especially when it comes to coordinating medical staff and resources. The first step is to send an advance team to assess the needs of the disaster area and find a suitable site for the hospital. This includes considering security concerns and accessibility, as well as ensuring that the ground is flat and secure enough to support the hospital structure.
Once the site has been chosen, the next step is to coordinate the shipment of medical staff and supplies, which may be transported by air, sea, or road. This can be challenging, especially if the disaster has damaged communication networks, roads, and airports. In some cases, equipment may need to be transported over long distances to areas with poor infrastructure. It is crucial to get the medical staff and supplies to the site as quickly as possible, as every hour counts in a disaster situation.
The number of medical staff and the types of resources sent will depend on the scale and nature of the disaster, as well as the expected number and types of casualties. A wide range of medical equipment may be required, including surgical equipment, EKG machines, autoclaves, defibrillators, lab equipment, and supplies for a blood bank. In addition, field hospitals require basic infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sanitation facilities, which may need to be set up from scratch.
The layout of the field hospital will depend on the needs of the disaster area. For example, if a large number of patients is expected, multiple tents may be inflated to create additional space. The tents can be configured in various ways to accommodate different functions, such as a triage area, major injuries and resuscitation unit, pharmacy, and maternity care. In some cases, the field hospital may also need to accommodate housing and basic amenities for the medical staff.
Effective coordination between the medical and logistics teams is crucial to ensure that the field hospital is set up as quickly and efficiently as possible. This includes clear communication and collaboration between local and international medical teams, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Continuous assessment and improvement are also important to enhance the coordination and management of future relief missions.
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Frequently asked questions
A field hospital is a temporary hospital or mobile medical unit that treats casualties on-site before they can be safely moved to permanent facilities. They are often set up in response to disasters and emergencies.
The location and security of the site are crucial. The ground must be flat, and the area must be secure and accessible. It is also important to assess the needs of the disaster area to determine the layout of the hospital. For example, inflatable tents may be used if a large number of patients are expected.
The equipment needed includes medical supplies, tents, generators, electricity, water, sanitation facilities, and medical equipment such as EKG machines, autoclaves, defibrillators, and lab equipment.
The time it takes to set up a field hospital can vary depending on the location and the resources available. In some cases, it can take up to three days for a field hospital to be fully operational, but the Israel Defense Forces have been known to set up a field hospital within 12 hours of arriving at the site.
