Effective Crisis Management in Mass Causality Events: Strategies for Leaders
摘要
This narrative review examines the application of military leadership principles to healthcare disaster response during mass casualty incidents (MCIs). We explore how concepts such as decentralized command, prioritization, and simplicity can enhance crisis management outcomes in high-stakes, chaotic clinical environments.
Recent FindingsRecent literature and case examples reveal that principles derived from military frameworks—such as the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loop and Extreme Ownership—enhance team performance and decision-making during MCIs. The OODA loop is a decision-making framework developed by an Air Force fighter pilot and military tactician. It describes a cyclical process for effective decision-making in high-stakes, dynamic environments. Extreme Ownership is a leadership concept developed by US Navy SEALs and refers to an unwavering commitment of leaders to take full responsibility for their team and the outcome of a mission. These strategies promote adaptability, clear communication, and individual accountability, which can be applied across healthcare settings, particularly when integrated with systems such as the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS).
SummaryBy adapting proven military leadership strategies to healthcare disaster response, leaders can better navigate complexity, build resilient teams, and improve patient outcomes in mass casualty events. This review offers a practical framework for cultivating preparedness and agile leadership in the face of future crises.