Main description:

This book describes in a practical way the process when setting up medical command at different levels such as command at the scene, on the strategic level and in a hospital, in a major incident or disaster. The fist ambulance arriving to an incident will be the first to establish medical command and control. They will assume the roles as initial Ambulance Incident and Medical Incident Commander. In the book you will find a description of these roles as well as their responsibilities. The book emphasises the importance of an early contact with the strategic level of command in forms of structural reports. The initial responsible officer on the strategic level is a function described as Designated Duty officer, DDO. The book also emphasises the importance of having management groups that are trained in 'staff procedure skills'. On all levels of command and control responsibilities can be divided into 'logistics' or 'medical' issues. In this book you will find suggestions on how this is done also in stressful situations like management of major incidents and disasters.
The book also describes how management and command and control can be evaluated by the use of performance indicators. The book is recommended for all first responders and other medical personnel who may come to work at the scene of an incident, on strategic level or in a disaster management group in a hospital.

Contents:

Management -- The Basic Approach; Legislation and Liaison; Threat and Risk Situations; Heath Care's Management System, Levels, Components, Roles; Medical Care Management at an incident Site; Organisation and Methodology at the Incident Site; Course of Action and Triage; Command at the Strategic Level, Designated Duty Officer; Political Leadership -- Crisis Management Committee; Alerting, Communication, Situation Reports; The Media and Information; Staff Procedure Skills; Further Reading; Index.