Logistical Resource Capability During a Mass Casualty Event in Washington State

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

Spring 3-1-2019

Originally Published In

United States

Volume Number

1

Page Numbers

137

Abstract

The need for increasing efficiencies for medical resource delivery during a mass casualty incident/event is a paramount logistical planning factor that could mean life or death to the citizens affected by a disaster. As such, Washington State has prioritized emergency management and preparedness. Using the just-in-time system by way of Baghbanian’ s complex adaptive decision-making theory as the foundation, gave purpose to this qualitative study. This was accomplished by analysis of emergency management professional responses, and to what degree, improvements can be made to the medical resource delivery system during a mass casualty incident/event. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with a random sample of 12 experienced emergency professionals from the State of Washington. This study was guided by primary research questions that focused on emergency managers and their understanding and adaptability toward preparedness. Interview data were deductively coded and analyzed through a thematic analysis procedure. The key theme of this study is that participants perceived slight differences in logistical and operational approaches that vector into transportation and operational understanding as the main factors influencing medical resource delivery. The positive social change association of this study is that it provides emergency managers, first responders, and medical staff with recommendations for analysis and planning development for medical resource delivery, thereby mitigating the life and death implications for citizens in future disasters.

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