Apply and integrate the concepts and knowledge gained in prior general management and health care administration courses to industry-relevant challenges. Assess the relevant strategic decision-making and implementation issues within a health care organization.
2017 Las Vegas Mass-Shooting
The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012, signed into law in January 2013, defines a mass killing as one resulting in at least 3 victims, excluding the perpetrator. On the evening of October 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man from Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire upon the crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. Between 10:05 and 10:15 p.m. PDT, he fired more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from his 32nd-floor suites in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, killing 60 people and wounding 411, with the ensuing panic bringing the injury total to 867. About an hour later, Paddock was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This incident was the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in modern United States history. University Medical Center of Southern Nevada,
Your assignment: In a MEMO format in 800-1000 words, please discuss the following about the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting Disaster Response: What went well with the response?
What were the significant challenges with the response?
In which ways could the response have been improved?
As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) how would you augment your healthcare facility’s disaster preparedness?
During Week One, we discussed Fayol’s Five Functions of Management: (a) Planning, (b) organizing, (c) coordinating, (d) commanding, and (e) controlling. Discuss which ways you would exercise Fayol’s Third Function of Management, coordinating into enhancing your facilities’ mass casualty, preparedness.
Make certain that your assignment is in the APA 7th edition format with a cover page, separating your sections by the appropriate APA Level Headings. Also, make sure you include a reference page and at least five references.
THE ANSWER
**Memorandum**
**To:** [Recipient’s Name]
**From:** [Your Name]
**Date:** [Date]
**Subject:** 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting Disaster Response Evaluation and Enhancements
I would like to address the response to the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting, a tragic event that presented immense challenges and required rapid and effective disaster response. In this memorandum, we will assess what went well with the response, identify significant challenges, suggest improvements, and discuss strategies to enhance our healthcare facility’s disaster preparedness, with a focus on Fayol’s Third Function of Management—coordinating.
**What Went Well with the Response?**
1. **Immediate Medical Attention:** The response involved the rapid deployment of medical personnel to the scene and the transport of victims to nearby healthcare facilities. This swift medical attention contributed to saving lives and providing critical care.
2. **Communication and Coordination:** Despite the chaotic situation, various agencies, including law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare facilities, coordinated their efforts effectively. This collaborative approach enabled a more efficient response.
3. **Community Support:** The response also saw a tremendous outpouring of support from the local community, including volunteers, blood donors, and mental health professionals, which provided essential assistance to the victims and their families.
4. **Media Communication:** Timely and transparent communication with the media helped disseminate crucial information to the public, minimizing panic and confusion.
**Significant Challenges with the Response:**
1. **Resource Overwhelm:** The mass casualty incident overwhelmed healthcare facilities, leading to a shortage of medical supplies, personnel, and available beds. This challenge highlighted the need for better resource management.
2. **Psychological Trauma:** The event caused significant psychological trauma to survivors, witnesses, and first responders. Managing the mental health needs of the affected individuals became a critical challenge.
3. **Victim Identification:** Identifying victims and notifying their families in a timely and sensitive manner was complicated due to the sheer number of casualties.
4. **Transportation:** Coordinating the transportation of victims to appropriate healthcare facilities was difficult, leading to delays in treatment.
**Ways to Improve the Response:**
1. **Resource Allocation:** Establish a clear protocol for resource allocation during mass casualty incidents, ensuring a more equitable distribution of supplies and personnel.
2. **Psychological Support:** Integrate mental health professionals into disaster response teams to address the psychological trauma experienced by survivors, witnesses, and first responders.
3. **Victim Identification:** Develop a system that streamlines the process of victim identification and family notification to minimize delays and emotional distress.
4. **Transportation Coordination:** Enhance transportation coordination, possibly through regional agreements, to expedite the transfer of victims to appropriate healthcare facilities.
**Augmenting Healthcare Facility’s Disaster Preparedness:**
As the Chief Operating Officer, I propose the following actions to augment our healthcare facility’s disaster preparedness:
1. **Training and Drills:** Conduct regular disaster response training and drills involving all staff to ensure they are familiar with their roles and responsibilities during a mass casualty incident.
2. **Resource Stockpiling:** Maintain a stockpile of essential medical supplies, medications, and equipment that can be rapidly deployed in emergencies.
3. **Community Engagement:** Strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement, emergency services, and other healthcare facilities to enhance coordination during disaster responses.
4. **Mental Health Resources:** Develop a comprehensive mental health support plan that includes access to counseling services for both victims and healthcare staff.
**Exercising Fayol’s Third Function of Management—Coordinating:**
To exercise Fayol’s Third Function of Management, coordinating, in enhancing our facility’s mass casualty preparedness, we will establish a dedicated disaster response team. This team will include representatives from various departments, such as medical, nursing, logistics, security, and communications. Their role will be to ensure seamless coordination of resources, communication, and actions during a mass casualty incident. Regular training and simulation exercises will be conducted to refine and improve the coordination process.
In conclusion, effective disaster response requires coordination, resource management, and preparedness. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the response to the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting and implementing the suggested improvements, we can better prepare our healthcare facility for future challenges.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Chief Operating Officer
[Your Healthcare Facility]
Leave a Reply