Logan Reid
In the event of a hospital fire, the decision to evacuate must be made quickly to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The first priority is to identify those in immediate danger and move them to safety, taking into account the unique design of the facility and the needs of the patients. This may include evacuating those on the compromised floor of a multi-storey building and using specialised equipment to move critical care patients without the use of elevators. The next step is to ensure a swift evacuation of ambulatory patients, followed by non-ambulatory patients, to maximise the number of lives saved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Priority | Those in immediate danger, based on proximity to the threat |
| Location | Evacuate the compromised floor first, then those above, and finally those below |
| Patient mobility | Evacuate ambulatory patients first, then non-ambulatory patients |
| Criticality | If resources allow, evacuate critical patients first |
| Resource intensity | Evacuate patients requiring the most resources first |
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What You'll Learn
Evacuate those in immediate danger first
In the event of a hospital fire, the top priority is to evacuate those in immediate danger. This could include patients, visitors, and staff who are closest to the fire or in the affected area, as they are at the highest risk. It is crucial to act quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
When dealing with a fire or any other localized danger, identifying those at immediate risk is crucial. This involves considering both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients in the affected area. It is important to have the necessary equipment, such as evacuation chairs or NICU evacuation basket and rack systems, to safely move patients, especially those who are critically ill or dependent on life-supporting equipment.
In a multi-floor facility, the evacuation process should start with those on the compromised floor, followed by those located directly above that area. This ensures that the immediate danger zone is cleared first, and then the focus can shift to the floors above to prevent anyone from being trapped. It is crucial to avoid using elevators during the evacuation process, as this can put people at further risk.
The evacuation plan should aim to minimize the number of caregivers required to move patients safely. This can be achieved through the use of specialized equipment, such as Med Sleds, which can expedite the evacuation process and reduce the need for staff or first responders to repeatedly enter the dangerous areas. By prioritizing the swift evacuation of ambulatory patients first, the overall number of lives saved can be maximized.
In conclusion, when faced with a hospital fire, the initial focus should be on evacuating individuals in immediate danger, including both patients and staff. By utilizing appropriate equipment and following a well-coordinated plan, the safety of those at risk can be secured while also ensuring an efficient evacuation process that maximizes the number of lives saved.
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Prioritise moving patients without use of elevators
In the event of a hospital fire, the top priority is to evacuate individuals in immediate danger, particularly those on the compromised floor of a multi-floor facility and those located directly above. This is to ensure that no one is trapped in an unsafe area. Both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients should be considered for evacuation from the affected area, without relying on elevators.
To efficiently evacuate patients without elevators, it is essential to have the proper equipment. Med Sled®, Evacuation Chairs, and NICU Evacuation Basket & Rack Systems are examples of equipment that can facilitate the safe and swift movement of patients, including those in critical care, without requiring staff to repeatedly enter dangerous areas. This equipment enables the safe transportation of patients and their life-supporting machinery to safer locations.
When facing time or resource constraints, it is advisable to first focus on evacuating ambulatory patients as they can move themselves with minimal assistance. This strategy maximises the number of lives saved. On the other hand, if there is sufficient time and resources, critical and non-ambulatory patients should be prioritised for evacuation first, followed by ambulatory patients.
To ensure a smooth evacuation process, designate trained guides to direct the flow of evacuees along a predetermined safe route, whether within or outside the facility. This designated path ensures that no one re-enters unsafe areas. For instance, in the event of a wildfire, guides can prevent individuals from inadvertently moving towards the fire.
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Evacuate floor by floor, starting with compromised floor
In the event of a hospital fire, the top priority is to evacuate those in immediate danger—typically those on the floor where the fire is located, also known as the compromised floor. Here is a step-by-step guide for evacuating floor by floor, starting with the compromised floor:
Identify the Compromised Floor
Locate the floor where the fire is active and identify it as the compromised floor. This floor is usually the one closest to the fire's source, and it poses the most immediate danger to patients and staff.
Evacuate the Compromised Floor
Begin by evacuating patients and staff from the compromised floor. This may include individuals who are ambulatory (able to walk) and non-ambulatory (unable to walk or move without assistance). Use appropriate equipment like Med Sleds, evacuation chairs, or NICU evacuation basket and rack systems to safely move patients, especially those who are bed-bound, wheelchair-bound, comatose, or in critical care. Ensure that life-supporting equipment is moved along with the patients to a safe location.
Evacuate Floors Above the Compromised Floor
Once the compromised floor is cleared, move upwards and start evacuating the floors directly above the area of the fire. This is done to prevent people from becoming trapped as smoke and fire can rise through elevator shafts and stairwells, cutting off escape routes.
Evacuate to the Main Floor
After ensuring that all floors above the compromised floor are evacuated, start moving downwards towards the main floor. Evacuate each floor methodically, ensuring that no one is left behind.
General Considerations
- Avoid using elevators during the evacuation.
- Identify trained staff or guides to direct the flow of evacuees along designated paths to safe locations and prevent anyone from re-entering the dangerous areas.
- Regular fire drills and training sessions are crucial to ensure staff are prepared and know their roles during an actual emergency.
- Each hospital's evacuation plan will be unique, depending on the facility's design and patient population.
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Evacuate ambulatory patients first to maximise lives saved
In the event of a hospital fire, the immediate priority is to evacuate those in the most danger—those closest to the fire or on the compromised floor of a multi-floor facility, and those above them. In these cases, it is easy to identify those at highest risk. Both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients should be evacuated without the use of elevators.
However, if the fire is not centralized and is impacting the entire facility, the best procedure is to first evacuate ambulatory patients to maximize the number of lives saved. This is because ambulatory patients can move more quickly and easily, and therefore evacuating them first will be the fastest way to get the largest number of people to safety. It will also reduce the number of people who need to be evacuated by first responders, who can then focus their efforts on critical or non-ambulatory patients. This is especially important if resources are limited or if there is a high concentration of non-ambulatory patients in the hospital.
To ensure a swift evacuation of ambulatory patients, a trained guide should direct the flow of evacuees along a designated path to a safe location, and stop anyone from re-entering the building. The use of equipment like Med Sleds, Evacuation Chairs, and NICU Evacuation Basket & Rack Systems can also help to reduce the number of caregivers needed to move patients and their equipment, saving time and resources and ultimately saving more lives.
While it may be tempting to focus on critical patients first, this is only recommended if there is the time and resources to safely evacuate everyone. The best evacuation plan will be tailored to the unique design of the facility and the patient makeup, and may involve several if/then statements.
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Critical patients should be evacuated first if time and resources allow
In the event of a hospital evacuation, the top priority is to move those in immediate danger—typically those closest to the threat. If the threat is localized, such as a fire on a specific floor, the priority is to evacuate that area first, followed by those above and then below.
If time and resources allow, critical patients should be evacuated first, followed by ambulatory patients. This strategy may not be suitable for facilities with a high concentration of critical or non-ambulatory patients, such as those on ventilators. In such cases, it may be necessary to first evacuate those who can move themselves with minimal assistance.
To efficiently evacuate critical patients, hospitals should be equipped with Med Sleds®, Evacuation Chairs, and NICU Evacuation Basket & Rack Systems. This specialized equipment reduces the number of caregivers needed to move patients and their life-supporting equipment safely. With adequate resources and efficient procedures, hospitals can maximize the number of lives saved during an emergency.
In some instances, hospitals have successfully evacuated critical patients first. For example, following Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, evacuated critically ill patients who required essential services to other hospitals. Similarly, after Hurricane Katrina, physicians at the VA Medical Center in New Orleans evacuated ventilator-dependent patients. These examples demonstrate that, when feasible, prioritizing critical patients can be a viable strategy during hospital evacuations.
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Frequently asked questions
In the event of a hospital fire, those closest to the fire and in immediate danger should be evacuated first. This includes both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients on the compromised floor.
If there is time and the resources to do so, critical patients should be evacuated next, followed by ambulatory patients.
If resources are limited, it is recommended to focus on the swift evacuation of ambulatory patients first to maximise the number of lives saved.
Equipment such as evacuation chairs, baskets, and racks can help safely move patients and their life-supporting equipment with fewer caregivers. These tools can reduce the time and resources needed to evacuate.
