Review Article

Vertical Hospital Evacuations: A New Method

Authors: Kenneth V. Iserson, MD, MBA

Abstract

Rarely are hospitals forced to evacuate their nonambulatory patients; however, when a disaster occurs, evacuating nonambulatory patients, particularly from multilevel facilities, represents a major logistical hurdle. Hospital disaster plans often rely on outside agencies and limited equipment to perform vertical evacuations. This article describes a novel method using readily available materials (patient mattresses and bedsheets) to effect a rapid, safe vertical evacuation. This method also can be used in nonhealthcare facilities for less-than-fully ambulatory individuals.

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