What type of incidents are covered under the Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) protocols?

The Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) protocols are specifically designed to address situations that involve multiple patients simultaneously needing medical attention. In these scenarios, resources can become strained, making coordinated response efforts essential for effective management and care delivery.

MCIs typically arise in events where injuries or illnesses surpass the immediate capability of local emergency services, requiring a planned and organized approach to triage and treatment. This might include situations like mass shootings, terrorist attacks, or large-scale accidents. In contrast, individual patient emergencies and vehicle accidents usually do not escalate to the level requiring MCI protocols, as they typically involve fewer patients and can be managed by standard emergency response practices. While catastrophic natural disasters may result in MCIs, the specific coverage of protocols focuses on managing the immediate operational response to the large number of casualties rather than the broader context of natural disasters.