Maui Memorial Medical Center Executes Mass Casualty Drill

Maui Memorial Medical Center conducted a “Mass Casualty Drill” on Wednesday as part of their ongoing disaster readiness program. The exercise helps evaluate the procedures that are in place to manage a catastrophic event in which a large number of people are injured and need care.

The drill focuses on MMMC’s Emergency Operations Plan which stands ready for large-scale disasters. Once activated, a system wide alert is sent out and each department has a specific set of duties including organization of a labor pool for additional staffing, set up of a triage tent and treatment areas to manage influx of patients, and a highly coordinated communication effort with city and state agencies.

Community partners Maui Fire Department and American Medical Response participated as first responders at the “accident scene,” helping to assess and group patients based on the severity of their “injuries.” The process helps to speed up intake once patients arrive at the MMMC Emergency Department.

Patient actors were “played” by volunteers and each assigned a medical background including age, medical history, and specific injuries inflicted in the mock accident. Moulage technique was used to apply makeup and other props (blood, open fracture wounds, and glass lacerations) to provide elements of realism to the drill.

“We take disaster readiness very seriously,” said MMMC CEO Dr. Barry Shitamoto. “And in this exercise, you see how committed our staff and partner agencies are to ensuring that we are all ready and able to be the center of care for our community, in any situation.”

MMMC staff and community partners participated in the disaster readiness drill.  MMMC regularly tests its disaster procedures, evaluating internal and external operations under a variety of scenarios.

MMMC Nurse Manager Marilou Fernandez uses moulage technique to apply “injuries” to volunteer patient, Vanesha Rems

MMMC staff Ala Scungio handing registration for victim, MMMC clerk Nan Menzies

Mass casualty drill “victims” with community partners AMR and MFD

Labor pool area assigns staff to various duties and areas during disaster situation