What does the acronym "MCI" stand for in emergency services?

The acronym "MCI" stands for "Mass Casualty Incident." In the context of emergency services, an MCI refers to an event that results in a large number of casualties that exceeds the immediate capabilities of available emergency resources to effectively manage the situation. This can include natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or major accidents, where the number of patients requiring medical care overwhelms the standard response capacity.

Recognizing an incident as a Mass Casualty Incident is crucial because it prompts specific emergency management protocols, including the mobilization of additional resources, the establishment of triage protocols to prioritize care, and coordinated communication among responding agencies. Treating incidents as MCIs helps ensure that responders are adequately prepared to provide care in chaotic environments, improving survival rates and effective patient management.