Improving Mass Casualty Event Response: A Simulation-Based Program in a Rural Hospital

Mass casualty events (MCEs) pose significant challenges, especially for hospitals serving remote populations. The increasing threat of modern terrorism underscores the importance of robust emergency preparedness. Simulation-based education (SBE) is an effective training approach to identify and address improvement areas. In October 2023, an urgent need arose to prepare a rural hospital in southern Israel for potential MCEs.

A simulation-based training program was developed for the hospital, focusing on trauma procedures, individual patient care, and team-based MCE drills. The training was implemented in three phases, addressing communication, procedural challenges, and operational/logistical gaps. Each simulation concluded with a debriefing session, followed by an after-action report and an improvement plan.

Eighty healthcare providers participated in the training. The simulations revealed significant gaps in trauma procedural skills, communication, and logistical protocols. As a result, the hospital's preparedness was significantly enhanced, with key improvements in coordination and operational readiness for potential disasters."

Targeted SBE disaster preparedness programs in rural hospitals can improve trauma skills and MCE management while identifying latent safety threats. Continued investment in SBE is recommended to strengthen emergency response capabilities in similar settings.