Ordering the Disorder: Preparing Paramedics for Unexpected and Unsafe Mass Casualty Incidents

Lyndon-James, P; Leigh, E

Ordering the Disorder: Preparing Paramedics for Unexpected and Unsafe Mass Casualty Incidents

Lyndon-James, P Leigh, E

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: Gaming, Simulation and Innovations: Challenges and Opportunities, 2022, 13219, pp. 182-196
Issue Date:: 2022

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lyndon-James, P
dc.contributor.author	Leigh, E
dc.date	2022-09-06
dc.date.accessioned	2023-07-07T10:15:30Z
dc.date.available	2023-07-07T10:15:30Z
dc.date.issued	2022
dc.identifier.citation	Gaming, Simulation and Innovations: Challenges and Opportunities, 2022, 13219, pp. 182-196
dc.identifier.isbn	9783031099588
dc.identifier.issn	0302-9743
dc.identifier.issn	1611-3349
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171302
dc.description.abstract	Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) occur when the number of patients in an incident exceed the number of available resources, require a multi-disciplinary approach and are protracted; fortunately, they are rare. When they do occur, first responders –including paramedics, police and fire fighters - must respond instantly and effectively. This article introduces research on use of an MCI simulation as the capstone subject for a degree program preparing student paramedics for the disorder and chaos of their first MCI. The University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) Sydney campus ran three iterations of an MCI simulation for students in the Bachelor of Paramedic Practice degree. The MCI required paramedics to respond to a gas explosion involving mass casualties in a public setting - using 30 moulage enhanced (makeup-based mock injuries) simulated patients in varying degrees of distress. The MCI scenario was specifically designed as an immersive experience within which participants could review their current capabilities. This article reflects on the impact of the third iteration, drawing on post event interviews to review experiences occurring during/after such large scale, complex, stress-inducing simulations. Fidelity to conditions in real MCIs was elevated through use of intrusive noise, simulated patients and live radio communications. The impact on participants – both facilitators and students as patients or paramedics – has been long lasting. Future research will consider the extent to which the effect of emotional engagement and skills acquisition persist and re-surface long after the event is over.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Gaming, Simulation and Innovations: Challenges and Opportunities
dc.relation.ispartof	International Simulation and Gaming Association Conference
dc.relation.ispartofseries	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/978-3-031-09959-5_16
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing
dc.subject.classification	46 Information and computing sciences
dc.title	Ordering the Disorder: Preparing Paramedics for Unexpected and Unsafe Mass Casualty Incidents
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.citation.volume	13219
utslib.location.activity	Indore, India
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2023-07-07T10:15:27Z
pubs.finish-date	2022-09-10
pubs.place-of-publication	Switzerland
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.start-date	2022-09-06
pubs.volume	13219
dc.location	Switzerland

Abstract:

Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) occur when the number of patients in an incident exceed the number of available resources, require a multi-disciplinary approach and are protracted; fortunately, they are rare. When they do occur, first responders –including paramedics, police and fire fighters - must respond instantly and effectively. This article introduces research on use of an MCI simulation as the capstone subject for a degree program preparing student paramedics for the disorder and chaos of their first MCI. The University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) Sydney campus ran three iterations of an MCI simulation for students in the Bachelor of Paramedic Practice degree. The MCI required paramedics to respond to a gas explosion involving mass casualties in a public setting - using 30 moulage enhanced (makeup-based mock injuries) simulated patients in varying degrees of distress. The MCI scenario was specifically designed as an immersive experience within which participants could review their current capabilities. This article reflects on the impact of the third iteration, drawing on post event interviews to review experiences occurring during/after such large scale, complex, stress-inducing simulations. Fidelity to conditions in real MCIs was elevated through use of intrusive noise, simulated patients and live radio communications. The impact on participants – both facilitators and students as patients or paramedics – has been long lasting. Future research will consider the extent to which the effect of emotional engagement and skills acquisition persist and re-surface long after the event is over.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171302