Case Managers in Mass Casualty Incidents

This study examined whether assigning “case managers” to each patient during mass casualty incidents (MCIs) improves care and efficiency. Instead of handing patients off between different teams at each treatment area, one dedicated team followed each patient from arrival through diagnosis and treatment. The change did not require more staff and did not increase mortality. However, it reduced delays to surgery and imaging, decreased unnecessary tests, and shortened hospital stays for severely injured patients. Staff reported better communication and clearer responsibility. The study suggests case managers improve surge capacity by increasing efficiency, coordination, and continuity of care.