An Israeli Model of a Hospital Emergency Information Center

Abstract

The Emergency Information Center model developed by the social work department of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is activated in cases of mass casualties following disasters. It aims to provide reliable information to help the public cope with confusion and uncertainty, and to enable the medical staff to concentrate on treating the casualties. The Information Center is comprised of several interrelated units within the hospital, and maintains contact with a range of community organizations. The article describes the structure and activities of the various units, and discusses a number of aspects relevant to personnel organization in crisis intervention.

The Social Impact of Terrorism on Civilian Populations: Lessons Learned from Decades of Terrorism in Israel and Abroad

“…Shortly after the declaration of a terror event or any other mass casualty, anxious members of the public contact hospitals seeking information on family and friends who might have been injured in the event. Requests for information are most frequently by phone, but some happen in person when family members go to an ER (Drory et al., , ). In 2000, due to the surge in public demand for information, national policy mandated that every hospital in Israel become linked to a joint organized system for tracking information on victims.…”

A national system for disseminating information on victims during mass casualty incidents

“…Shortly after the declaration of an MCI, anxious members of the public confront hospitals seeking information on family members and friends who might have been injured in the event. Requests for information are most frequently telephonic, but some come directly from family members arriving at an ED (Drory et al, 1998(Drory et al, , 1999.…”