• Simon Hendel and Asha d'Arville.
• Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Alfred Healthoo, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Australia; Trauma Service, Alfred Health, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, Monash University, The Alfred, Australia. Electronic address: S.Hendel@Alfred.org.au.
• Br J Anaesth. 2022 Feb 1; 128 (2): e100-e103.

AbstractEfficiency is an essential part of sustainable healthcare, especially in emergency and acute care (including surgical) settings. Waste minimisation, streamlined processes, and lean principles are all important for responsible stewardship of finite health resources. However, the promotion of efficiency above all else has effectively subordinated preparedness as a form of waste. Investment in preparedness is an essential part of resilient healthcare. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the gap between efficient processes and resilient systems in many health settings. In anticipation of future pandemics, natural disasters, and mass casualty incidents, health systems, and individual healthcare workers, must prioritise preparedness to be ready for the unexpected or for crises. This requires a reframing of priorities to view preparedness as crucial insurance against system failure during disasters, by taking advantage of lessons learnt preparing for war and mass casualty incidents.Copyright © 2021 British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved.

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