Implementing the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS): A Guide for Healthcare Emergency Preparedness

Effective emergency management within healthcare facilities is critical to ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) provides a structured, standardized approach for hospitals to respond efficiently to a wide range of incidents, from natural disasters to bioterrorism. This comprehensive guide explores HICS’s core components, recent updates, and essential resources to enhance hospital preparedness and response capabilities.

HICS Courses

The foundational training for hospital staff and management is designed to familiarize participants with the principles and operational procedures of HICS. These courses typically provide a thorough overview of the system’s framework, including practical exercises to reinforce learning.

Course Description

A four-and-a-half-hour introductory course offers an overview of HICS and the operation of the Hospital Command Center (HCC) during emergencies. Participants learn to navigate HICS forms and tools through hands-on training, enabling effective incident management. This course aligns with standards such as the Joint Commission Standard EM.01.01.01, EP 7, which mandates that the hospital’s incident command structure is integrated with community command systems, and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance objectives, particularly Objective #7, which emphasizes the use of NIMS principles in training and exercises.

Course materials and handouts are developed solely for training purposes; by accessing these resources, users agree not to share, distribute, or reproduce them without prior written approval from the California Hospital Association. The course aims to prepare hospital management at all levels to lead incident response efforts effectively.

Advanced Incident Action Planning Course

This two-and-a-half-hour session is tailored to deepen understanding of hospital incident action plan development. While similar topics are covered in the “HICS Basics” course, this session emphasizes the creation and implementation of incident action plans. Trainees will:

Describe the nine steps involved in Incident Action Planning
Identify key components of an Incident Action Plan
Demonstrate the planning process and use of HICS forms
Implement Incident Response Guides

This course is suited for middle- and upper-management personnel or those likely to assume HICS roles, with prerequisites such as completion of the basic course or familiarity with HICS.

Course Materials Download

All training materials and handouts are intended exclusively for educational purposes. Accessing these documents signifies agreement not to share or reproduce them for any commercial use, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the training.

About HICS

The Hospital Incident Command System is a standardized framework tailored specifically for healthcare settings, facilitating rapid and coordinated responses to emergencies. HICS supports hospitals in developing robust plans for incident response, recovery, and ongoing management. Its key elements include:

Assessing incident needs and establishing clear objectives
Developing a scalable command structure adaptable to incident complexity
Integrating personnel from various hospital departments and external agencies into a unified command
Formulating strategic approaches to meet incident goals
Providing support and guidance to operational teams executing tactical responses

Since its adoption in the U.S., especially following the establishment of NIMS, HICS has become a vital component of hospital emergency preparedness. It ensures that hospitals can respond effectively while safeguarding patients, staff, and visitors during crises.

Learn more about incident management frameworks and their integration with hospital systems at how emerging technologies influence healthcare.

Additional Resources

Incident Planning Guides (IPG)
Incident Response Guides (IRG)
NETEC Special Pathogen Response Guides

Note: For individual incident response guides, visit the Course Handouts section in the right navigation.

Recent Updates and Enhancements to HICS

Since its last revision in 2014, HICS has incorporated several important updates to improve usability and functionality:

Pending XOSC Help Desk Cases: A tracking system for support tickets to ensure timely resolution.
Application ID Field: Assigns a unique identifier to each application for easier management.
Case Update Indicators: Tracks new information added to existing cases, maintaining current data.
Bulk Closure Feature: Allows multiple cases to be closed simultaneously, increasing efficiency.
Navigation and Search Improvements: Enhanced interface for quicker access to information.
Updated User Guide: Clarifies procedures and reflects the latest system modifications.

These enhancements demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that hospitals can adapt their incident management capabilities to evolving challenges.

Psychological Triage and Rapid Treatment

Integrating mental health considerations into disaster response is essential. The system provides methods to connect mental health services with disaster operations, including mental health triage tags, information technology (IT) support, and ICS/HICS-compliant job action sheets. These tools help hospitals address psychological needs during crises, improving overall resilience.

The importance of comprehensive incident planning is underscored by resources such as “Disaster Response Using HICS: An Introduction for Physicians,” provided through collaborations with Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

The Incident Action Plan (IAP)

The IAP is a vital document that outlines incident objectives and tactical actions for upcoming operational periods. It typically includes:

200: IAP Cover Sheet
201: Incident Briefing
202: Incident Objectives
203: Organizational Assignments
204: Branch Assignment List
215A: Incident Safety Analysis
IAP Quick Start (combining key forms)

Hospitals are required by NIMS Element 12 to utilize IAPs in all incidents and exercises, ensuring effective communication and coordination through the ICS chain-of-command. The Joint Commission mandates an incident command structure that aligns with the community’s command system, fostering seamless integration during emergencies.

HICS Role Tents and Visual Aids

Role table tents are useful during drills and actual incidents, displaying personnel roles to reinforce the incident management process. These visual tools serve as reminders during incident response and assist in completing the necessary forms efficiently.

Note: The TJC emphasizes the use of role-identifying table tents during tabletop exercises and inspections, facilitating clarity in incident management.

Resources from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center

NETEC offers valuable educational resources, including podcasts such as “HICS for Special Pathogen Preparedness,” featuring experts like Ryan Tuchmayer from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. These materials highlight how HICS supports hospitals in responding to high-threat pathogens, emphasizing preparedness for specialized incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions about HICS and Emergency Preparedness

How can hospitals customize HICS tools to meet specific needs?
What are the NIMS training requirements for hospital staff, and how can compliance be verified?
Can hospitals utilize vendor-created NIMS courses? If so, what steps are necessary to ensure their validity?

For comprehensive guidance and to access training materials, visit the official hospital disaster preparedness resources. Proper training and system customization are crucial to ensure hospitals are ready to manage any emergency effectively.

Implementing a robust incident management system like HICS is vital for healthcare organizations to ensure coordinated, efficient, and effective responses to emergencies. Regular training, system updates, and resource utilization are essential components of a resilient hospital emergency preparedness program.