Evaluation of Hospital Disaster Drills

A Module-Based Approach

Bioterrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies
Tools and Models for Planning and Preparedness

---

Hospitals must be prepared to respond to natural and manmade mass casualty incidents that may cause sudden demand on services. One of the foci of hospital disaster planning has been the use of drills to train employees in and to test aspects of hospital response. Prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), this document presents an approach to the evaluation of hospital disaster drills that consists of a series of evaluation modules and addendums. The value of the approach is to identify specific weaknesses that can be targeted for improvement and to promote continuing efforts to strengthen hospital disaster preparedness.

---

Sara E. Cosgrove, M.D., M.S.
Mollie W. Jenckes, M.H.Sc., B.S.N.
Karen Kohri
Edbert B. Hsu, M.D., M.P.H.
Gary Green, M.D., M.P.H.
Carolyn J. Feuerstein
Christina L. Catlett, M.D.
Karen A. Robinson, M.Sc.
Eric B. Bass, M.D., M.P.H.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Abstract

How to Use This Tool
Introduction
   Development of the Evaluation Modules
   Evaluation Modules and Addenda
   Evaluation Planning and Execution
   Additional Issues
Table 1: Recommended Use of Evaluation Modules and Addenda
Table 2: Zone Codes and Paper Color Coding
Figure 1: Sample Page from an Evaluation Module
References

Modules and Addenda
Pre-drill Module
Incident Command Center Zone Module
Decontamination Zone Module
Triage Zone Module
Treatment Zone Module
Biological Incident Addendum
Radiation Incident Addendum
General Observation and Documentation Addendum
Victim Tracking Addendum
Group Debriefing Module

Appendix A: Spreadsheets for Information Collected on Evaluation Modules and Addenda
Pre-drill Spreadsheet
Main Spreadsheet
Biological Incident Spreadsheet
Radiation Incident Spreadsheet

AHRQ Publication No. 04-0032
Current as of April 2004

---

Internet Citation:

Cosgrove SE, Jenckes MW, Kohri K, et al. Evaluation of Hospital Disaster Drills: A Module-Based Approach. AHRQ Publication No. 04-0032, April 2004. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/hospdrills/

---