Health Services Organization in the Event of Disaster (PAHO): Chapter 6: Implementing the plan in hospitals: Ambulance fleet

Health Services Organization in the Event of Disaster (PAHO)

Chapter 6: Implementing the plan in hospitals

		General objectives of the plan
		Activating the plan
		Triage
		Resources for the triage area
		Casualty identification criteria
		Human resources
		Family information center
		Medical and support services
		Capacity and general means of attaining the objectives
		Identification of hospital staff
		Transportation of hospital staff
		Arrival of casualties by air
		Ambulance fleet
		Press area
		Director of the public relations office
		Morgue
		Workday
		Women's volunteer corps
		General coordination instructions
		Activities of other divisions, departments, or units
		Coordinator's instructions to all units and departments
		Final considerations
		Termination of the disaster plan

Ambulance fleet

The ambulances will carry the following equipment:

1) Oxygen, oxygen mask, and manometer.
2) Stretchers and blankets.
3) Emergency first aid kit.
4) Suction equipment.
5) Supplies for immobilizing fractures.
6) Venoclysis equipment.
7) Drugs for emergency use.
8) Minimal equipment for resuscitation maneuvers.

Each ambulance should be staffed by at least a physician, a nurse, a stretcher-bearer, and a driver. The medical and paramedical personnel should be experienced in procedures for the management of patients in intensive care units.