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Implementing the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System: an integrated delivery system's experience
Richard D Zane1, Ann L Prestipino
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rzane@partners.org
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
|January 14, 2005
Summary
Hospital disaster response plans benefit from the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS). HEICS offers a reliable, adaptable command structure for effective emergency management.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Emergency Preparedness
- Disaster Response
Background:
- Traditional hospital disaster plans often lack formal command structures, relying on key personnel who may be unavailable during crises.
- Existing leadership structures may not be sustainable during prolonged emergencies, impacting response effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the implementation of the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System (HEICS) within a large healthcare network.
- To evaluate HEICS as a standardized approach to hospital emergency management.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive report detailing the implementation process of HEICS across a healthcare network was analyzed.
- The study focused on the practical application and structural benefits of HEICS.
Main Results:
- The implementation of HEICS established a consistent and formal command structure within the healthcare network.
- HEICS proved to be flexible and expandable, adapting to various emergency scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Implementing HEICS ensures a uniform command structure for hospitals, enhancing inter-agency communication and coordination.
- HEICS promotes consistency and commonality in disaster response across healthcare facilities and external agencies.