Hospital Evacuation
Plan
Managing the
Worst-Case Scenario
Why Do We Need a Plan?

Joint Commission Requirements

Safety of our patients

When the environment cannot support
care, treatment, and services
 Continuity of care

Element of preparation
Activation Levels

Level 1 – Alert for potential evacuation

Level 2 – Limited area / horizontal

Level 3 – Limited area / vertical

Level 4A – Large area / building

Level 4B – Entire single campus
– East or West

Level 4C – Entire Longwood Area Evacuation
– Both East and West Campuses
Types of Evacuation

Emergency Evacuation-Fire, Explosion
– Immediate departure
due to life or safety threat

Urgent Evacuation-Flood, Utility Failure
– Commence within four hours

Planned Evacuation
– At least 48 hours
to prepare
4
4
GO Kits
Unit / Team Leader vests
 Clipboards / checklists
 Mobility triage tape
 GO pouches
 Re-sealable medication bags
 Chemical light sticks
 Chalk / tape for evacuation
marking
 Pens / markers

Job
Job
Action
Job
Action
Job
Sheet
Action
Sheet
Action
Sheet
Sheet
GO Pouch
Patient Form
Patient Movement Flow

Horizontal movement
Unit
– From unit to Patient Holding Area
– Horizontal Movement Team

Vertical movement
– From Holding Area to Patient Loading Area
– Vertical Movement Team
Patient loading
 Movement to onward destination
 Placement at onward destination
Horizontal
Movement
Team
Holding
Area
Vertical
Movement
Team

Loading
Area
Transport To
Onward
Destination
Patient Mobility Levels
Ambulatory
 Wheelchair
 Non-Ambulatory

–
–
–
–
–

Lowest acuity
Moderate acuity
Critical care
Interrupted procedure
Arm-carry
Behavioral Health
Patient Movement Sequencing



By mobility level
Focus on efficiency
First, move the ambulatory
– Ambulatory elderly and behavioral health may be moved faster as
wheelchair patients



Discharge-eligible patients
Wheelchair patients
Non-ambulatory patients
– From lowest to highest acuity
Evacuation Sleds

NO LIFTING. Uses roll and drag method only.
– Stairwell braking system for safe mobilization of lightweight or heavier
patients by any staff member.
Allows for all staff to be utilized in an evacuation.
 Regular sled (36x87 in), holds 800lbs
 Bariatric sled (48x87 in), holds 800lbs
 Compact and durable -- efficient storage options.





helps protect person while transporting.
holds IV bags, oxygen
and other small devices.
Stored on each floor and in distribution
MedSled
Special Situations & Critical Care
Mothers and babies together
 Specialty care patients
 Airborne infectious isolation patients
 Morbidly obese patients
 Ventilated patients
 Orthopedic w/equipment
 Patients undergoing procedures

Staff Assignments

On-duty personnel remain until released

Manpower is allocated by the Command Center
What is Your Role?
Evacuation
Management
Incident Command
-Personnel Staging Team
-Vehicle Staging Team
-Equipment/Supply Staging Team
-Medication Staging Team
Operations Section Chief
Staging Manager
Medical Care Branch Director
Security Branch Director
Evacuation Branch Director
Inpatient UL
Access Control UL
Horizontal Movement UL
Patient Tracking UL
Crowd Control UL
Patient Holding UL
Traffic Control UL
Vertical Movement UL
Law Enforcement Interface
Patient Loading UL
Tracking/Accountability UL
Maintaining Continuity of Care


Clinical staff
Equipment and supplies
–
–
–
–
–
Surge Area Supply Cart
Oxygen
Biomedical equipment
Supplies, linen, portable lighting
Patient comfort and privacy items
Emergency Response Manual
Now On-line
Emergency Response Manual now on the portal in PPGD
Emergency Response Manual