ABSTRACT
A major incident (MI) can be classified as simple when the infrastructure, for example roads, bridges, remains intact, whereas a compound MI occurs when there is a breakdown of infrastructure. A compensated MI is defined when medical resources can deal with the incident compared to uncompensated when services are overwhelmed; this is termed a disaster. A unified approach to MI planning follows the CSCATTT principles; this includes Command, Safety, Communication, Assessment, Triage, Treatment, and Transport. Many of the MI principles including triage, and CSCATTT principles and hospital disaster/MI plan, can be used. Critical care nurses may be required to support the care of patients in emergency departments and help with post-operative care; re-directing critical care staff helps meet the short-term needs of other departments. The wider impact on the critical care will mean the unit will be unable to prepare to receive casualties either post-operatively or directly from the emergency room.
