The Buffer Zone: A Novel Approach to MCI Surge in the Era of Hospital Crowding

Creating immediate surge capacity for critically injured patients in a mass casualty incident (MCI) is critical in MCI response. However, the current era of hospital overcrowding and emergency department (ED) boarding has undermined the ability of the ED to create surge capacity. Brigham and Women’s Hospital has leveraged the buffer zone concept within their ED to temporarily and rapidly increase capacity to care for critical patients during an MCI. In this session, Dr. Goldberg will highlight Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s experience with developing and implementing buffer zones as part of their institution’s MCI plans and highlight the lessons learned during the operationalization of their buffer zone plan.