Multiple patients *

Objectives (EM)

1. When assessing multiple simultaneous patients, risk-stratify and triage based on presenting complaint, vital signs, and ABCs.
2. When dealing with multiple patients, prioritize the investigation and simultaneous management of all patients, first stabilizing situations that may require resuscitation and then performing timely reassessments as required.
3. When dealing with multiple patients, ensure leadership and delegate tasks clearly (e.g., nursing, RT) and mobilize other resources/services early (e.g., colleagues, consultants, OR) to expedite and optimize the management of each patient.
4. In special situations where the number and type of patients may exceed the usual capacity of the emergency department, mobilize available extra resources as soon as possible (e.g., activate disaster plan, work with EMS and other transportation services) and facilitate the implementation of plans within the emergency department itself.