During an MCI alert with five or more patients, is an electronic Patient Care Record (ePCR) required?

During a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) alert, the standard procedures for documenting patient care can be adjusted to meet the demands of the situation. In an MCI scenario, where resources may be stretched and the number of patients increases significantly, the requirement for an electronic Patient Care Record (ePCR) is often temporarily suspended to allow responders to focus on immediate patient care and triage.

This flexibility acknowledges that in high-stress situations with multiple patients, ensuring that care is provided efficiently and effectively takes precedence over documentation requirements. While documentation is important for eventual patient transfer and legal compliance, the urgency of treating patients in an MCI context means that strict adherence to maintaining an ePCR may not be feasible or practical. Thus, the temporary suspension of the ePCR requirement allows for a more responsive and adaptable emergency response.