Who should the nurse refer to for implementing the emergency plan in a bus accident scenario?

Referring to the hospital incident commander for implementing the emergency plan in a bus accident scenario is appropriate because this individual holds the responsibility for the coordination and management of the overall response to emergencies within the hospital setting. The incident commander plays a crucial role in assessing the situation, allocating resources, and providing direction to ensure effective and organized care for multiple patients who may arrive following such an incident.

The incident commander typically has training and experience in emergency management principles and is established as the central point of communication and decision-making during crises. This individual ensures that all relevant protocols are followed, which helps to streamline operations and facilitate collaboration among various departments, including emergency medical technicians, rescue teams, and emergency department personnel.

In contrast, while emergency medical technicians are essential for immediate pre-hospital care, and rescue team leaders manage the operational aspects of retrieving victims, they do not have the overarching authority to implement the hospital's emergency plan. Emergency department nurses are critical in providing patient care once victims arrive at the hospital but would follow the directives of the incident commander rather than lead the implementation themselves. Hence, the incident commander is vital to orchestrating a comprehensive response to ensure patient safety and effective management of the situation.