EVACUATION – Immediate (0-2 hrs)

Operations Section

• Implement emergency life support procedures to sustain critical services (i.e., power, water, communications) until evacuation can be accomplished
• Determine evacuation type needed, with Incident Commander—immediate, delayed; vertical, horizontal, complete
• Implement planning for immediate evacuation of the facility
• Prioritize patients and areas of the facility to be evacuated
• Prepare patient records, medications and valuables for transfer
• Confirm transfer and timeline with accepting hospitals, provide patient information
• Discharge patients as appropriate
• Establish a safe area for holding patients until transferred
• Ensure patient records, medications and belongings are transferred with the patient
• Secure facility and restrict visitors and entry of non-essential personnel
• Activate business continuity plans and procedures
• Relocate hazardous materials from flooded areas to prevent area/facility contamination
• Coordinate ambulances, aero medical services, and other transportation
• Implement the evacuation plan and move patients and staff

Reference:
Hospital Incident Command System. Incident Planning Guide: Evacuation, Complete or Partial Facility.