Which type of event can often be handled by an individual hospital disaster plan without needing to collaborate with other systems?

The scenario of a motor vehicle accident involving five cars is manageable by an individual hospital disaster plan because it typically requires a localized response. Hospitals are equipped to handle a sudden influx of patients resulting from such an incident without the need for extensive coordination with other hospitals or emergency response systems. This type of event usually involves a few injured individuals transported to a single facility, allowing the hospital's emergency department to implement its established triage and treatment protocols effectively.

In contrast, events like a factory explosion, a mass shooting, or a natural disaster affecting multiple regions often involve numerous casualties and require a coordinated response across multiple hospitals, emergency services, and agencies. These situations necessitate collaboration to manage resources efficiently, validate the capacity of treating facilities, and provide comprehensive care to a larger number of affected individuals.