[Ethical Debates Related to the Allocation of Medical Resources During the Response to the Mass Casualty Incident at Formosa Fun Coast Water Park].
Disasters are unpredictable and often result in mass casualties. Limited medical resources often affect the response to mass casualty incidents, undermining the ability of responders to adequately protect all of the casualties. Thus, the injuries of casualties are classified in hopes of fully utilizing medical resources efficiently in order to save the maximum possible number of people. However, as opinions on casualty prioritization are subjective, disagreements and disputes often arise regarding allocating medical resources. The present article focused on the 2015 explosion at Formosa Fun Coast, a recreational water park in Bali, New Taipei City, Taiwan as a way to explore the dilemma over the triage and resource allocation for casualties with burns over 90% and 50-60% of their bodies. The principles of utilitarianism and deontology in Western medicine were used to discuss the reasons and rationale behind the allocation of medical resources during this incident. Confucianism, a philosophical mindset that significantly influences Taiwanese society today, was then discussed to describe the "miracles" that happened during the incident, including the acquisition of assistance from the public and medical professionals. External supplies and professional help (social resources) were provided voluntarily after this incident, which had a profound impact on both the immediate response and the longer-term recovery efforts.
Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, and Doctoral Student, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.
Jing-Shia
JS
Tang
Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital and Doctoral Student, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.
Chia-Jung
CJ
Chen
Department of Nursing, and Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC. meay@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Mei-Chih
MC
Huang
D006801:Humans; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents / Q000941:ethics*; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000941:ethics*; D013624:Taiwan
burn; ethical; mass casualty incident; medical resources