Simulation and management games for training command and control in emergencies

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Disaster Preparedness
• Simulation Technology

Background:

• Healthcare systems face challenges in disaster preparedness due to knowledge loss with personnel changes.
• Disseminating critical knowledge from experienced staff to all personnel is difficult during routine operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and implement simulation techniques for improving healthcare system preparedness for disasters.
• To address knowledge management challenges in disaster preparedness within healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed existing preparedness protocols and identified knowledge loss pitfalls.
• Developed a database for simulation resources and casualties, incorporating multi-casualty incident scenarios.
• Utilized simulation software (ARENA) and graphical interfaces (Visual Basic) with networked hardware for prehospital and hospital phases.

Main Results:

• A system was developed to manage and disperse knowledge effectively for disaster preparedness.
• The simulation model incorporated rules for various multi-casualty incidents, including warfare trauma and chemical/toxicological events.
• The system facilitated bidirectional information flow for prehospital care assessment.

Conclusions:

• The implemented system offers solutions for assessing and enhancing management command and control in healthcare settings during multi-casualty incidents.
• Simulation techniques provide a viable method for improving disaster preparedness and knowledge management in healthcare organizations.