[Cost estimation for hospital mass casualty exercises]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Management
• Disaster Preparedness

Background:

• Mass casualty events (MCEs) present significant challenges for healthcare systems.
• Effective hospital emergency plans necessitate regular employee training and practice exercises.
• The financial and organizational demands of conducting MCE exercises are substantial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the financial costs associated with hospital-based mass casualty event (MCE) exercises.
• To outline the magnitude of financial resources required for MCE drill preparation and execution.
• To identify the need for developing cost-efficient training and refinancing strategies for MCE preparedness.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of multiple large-scale hospital exercises.
• Evaluation of financial expenditures for MCE drill preparation and execution.
• Assessment of exercise scope (patient numbers, involved departments) and associated costs.

Main Results:

• The cost of a full-scale MCE drill can range from €10,000 to €100,000.
• Costs vary significantly based on the exercise's size and scope.
• Significant financial investment is required for effective MCE preparedness.

Conclusions:

• Hospital MCE exercises are critical for preparedness and quality management.
• The high cost of MCE drills necessitates exploring refinancing options.
• Developing more cost-effective training methods is essential for sustained MCE readiness.