SOP 206.15 TREATMENT SECTOR

A Treatment Sector is established to provide and manage a site for the treatment of multiple Priority I and 2 patients at medical incidents

The Treatment Sector is responsible for the establishment of the Treatment Area in a suitable location. The Treatment Area must be in a readily accessible location for patient entry and transportation loading but away from any dangerous conditions associated with the incident.

The function of the Treatment Area is to provide stabilization and continuing care of patients until they can be transported to a medical facility.

The Treatment Area should be established and prepared for the arrival of patients from the Extrication Sector .The Treatment Sector should first establish a "Priority I" Treatment Area where ambulance level treatment will be given. A "Priority 2" Treatment Area should be established if there is a need to hold non-critical patients until transportation is available. The Treatment Sector shall advise Command when ready to receive patients.

The Treatment Sector will determine priorities for patients to be transported to medical Facilities and will consult with the Transportation Sector on the allocation of patients to facilities.

The Treatment Sector is responsible for:

Evaluation of resources required, for treatment (and/or triage) and reporting needs to Command.

Identification and establishment of suitable "Priority 1" and “Priority 2” treatment areas.

Assignment and coordination of resources treatment for all patients.

Triage of arriving patients and continuing evaluation of patient conditions.

Determination of transportation priorities for patients.

Reporting of progress to Command.

Coordination with other sectors

The Treatment Area should have a readily identifiable entrance. Traffic cones or other markers should be used to make this entrance obvious and the location should be announced. Personnel should be assigned to meet and direct arriving litter-bearers on the placement of patients in "Priority I" and "Priority 2" Areas.

Patients arriving at the Treatment Area without triage tags must be triaged at the entrance and tagged. A Triage Team should be located at the entrance for this purpose.

Patients in Treatment Areas should be arranged in rows with 5 feet between them and their heads towards the aisles to provide working room.

Basic life support treatment will be given only in the “Priority 1” Treatment Area. Less intensive patient monitoring and treatment will be given to the "Priority 2" Treatment Area with fewer personnel assigned to this area.

Treatment Sector personnel must continue to assess patient condition on an on-going basis to maintain appropriate triage classifications and to set treatment and transportation priorities.

If the condition of a patient changes significantly (better or worse) it may be necessary to transfer the patient to a higher or lower priority area.

Firefighting personnel, emergency medical staff and others may be assigned to the Treatment Sector. The Treatment Sector Officer must have specific assignments for these varied personnel: to patients in need of treatment and provide the necessary level of support.

If the number of “Priority 1” patients exceed the treatment capability at the scene, Priority 1 patients should be transported immediately. Helicopters with ambulance capability should be assigned to treat and transport these patients as quickly as possible.

The Treatment. Sector Officer is responsible for determining the need for additional medical supplies at the scene and requesting their delivery through Command. A supply pool should be established within the Treatment Area.

The Treatment Sector Officer shall wear an orange vest for identification purposes.

If the incident scene is extremely large, it may be advantageous to establish more than one Treatment Area , or Sector in a different location.