Terrorist bombings: medical response in a developing country.
نویسندگان
چکیده
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the process of transport and immediate Emergency Department (ER) management of mass casualties following the recent bomb blasts in Karachi and review in detail the medical response and management of victims undertaken in these two incidents. METHODS Eyewitness accounts of the victims, medical personnel and newspaper clippings were used to understand and identify difficulties faced during the rescue process. Data regarding presenting injuries and their outcomes was also collected from all victims presenting to the emergency department at Aga Khan University Hospital. RESULTS Seventy nine individuals died and over 250 victims were injured in the two incidents. All victims and dead bodies were shifted to the nearest public sector hospital overwhelming the health care facility. Subsequently all victims were evacuated to private sector hospitals creating similar difficulties. Over half of the victims presenting at the emergency department had minor injuries and did not require admission. Most patients requiring admission needed orthopaedic intervention. CONCLUSION A comprehensive disaster plan with a centralized command and control system is required for the city of Karachi, involving all stake holders including charity ambulance services, security agencies, and trauma management facilities. Training courses and exercises for health care personnel should also be made mandatory to achieve professional excellence.
منابع مشابه
Medical Response Planning and Triage for Mass Casualty Terrorist Bombings
The medical response to mass casualty terrorist bombings (MCTB) has received extensive treatment in the trauma and emergency medicine literature over the past 25 years. An effective medical response must consider four fundamental aspects: (1) the objective of the response, (2) the typical injury pattern, (3) triage, and (4) the delivery of care. This report discusses the key components of each ...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
دوره 61 6 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2011