Altered standards of care: an analysis of existing federal, state, and local guidelines

Abstract

A disaster with mass casualties or event involving a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a profound, life-impacting event that can lead to further devastating consequences. Under austere conditions, however, the implementation of altered standards of care can greatly increase the quality of life of individuals injured by such an event. This thesis evaluates, compares, and contrasts, at the various federal, state, and local levels, guidance documents for altered standards of care and presents a policy recommendation for the inclusion of triggers, guaranteed minimums of care, and legal immunity into existing planning guidance documents for altered standards of care at the federal, state, and local levels. In formulating this policy recommendation, consideration was given to ethical values that should be used to develop policies for altered standards of care, which are recommended to guide and support decision making during both preparation and response at different levels of government.