Role of Anesthesia Technologists in Disaster and Mass‑Casualty Situations

Author : Ilsa shahzadi, Roll no: F23-0947 , Semester:5th , BS-AHS(Anesthesia Technology) Affiliation: UOH-AHS-MLT Department, KPK, Pakistan Supervised By: Samsaam Fazal, MS-AHS

Anesthesia technologists play a vital role in disaster and mass‑casualty situations by keeping airway management, monitoring, and equipment functioning under extreme pressure. They prepare and maintain anesthesia machines, set up rapid‑response airway kits, and ensure continuous oxygen and suction supply so clinicians can focus on triage and life‑saving procedures. In the chaotic early phase of a mass casualty incident, technologists assemble difficult‑airway carts and help with rapid sequence intubation, bag‑mask ventilation, and placement of supraglottic devices, giving teams the tools and hands needed to secure airways quickly. They also run and troubleshoot monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps, which reduces delays in resuscitation and supports safe anesthesia for emergency surgeries. Beyond immediate technical duties, technologists check inventory, prepare backup oxygen sources, and manage sterilization and turnover of reusable airway devices, which preserves scarce resources during prolonged responses. They document equipment use and medication vials, helping maintain medication safety and enabling rapid restocking when supply chains are strained. Training and familiarity with crisis checklists and disaster protocols make technologists effective members of multidisciplinary response teams; their routine practice with anesthesia workstations and infection control means they can adapt equipment for improvised settings, such as field operating areas or triage tents. Regular drills that include technologists improve team communication and reduce errors during real events. Finally, anesthesia technologists support post‑event recovery by validating and returning equipment to service, reporting faults that need replacement, and participating in debriefs to improve future preparedness. Their combination of technical skill, equipment stewardship, and teamwork makes them indispensable in saving lives when systems are overwhelmed.