When several high-acuity patients arrive at once, how would you prioritize and allocate resources in the Emergency Department?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks how well you handle pressure and make quick decisions in a chaotic environment. Interviewers want to see if you can prioritize patient care effectively when resources are limited.
Tips
- Start with a rapid assessment using a structured approach like ABCDE to identify immediate threats.
- Clearly explain your prioritization framework, focusing on the most critical patients first.
- Show how you would lead the team, delegate tasks, and maintain calm communication throughout the process.
Common mistakes
- Don't just wing it or sound overwhelmed; have a clear plan in mind.
- Avoid focusing on one patient while ignoring others; it's about the whole team and all patients.
- Don't forget to mention resource allocation and when to call for backup; these are key in a crisis.