Mass Casualty Shootings and Emergency Preparedness: A Multidisciplinary Approach for an Unpredictable Event

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Patrick Melmer, University of South Carolina; Margo Carlin, Emory University; Christine Castater, Emory University; Deepika Koganti, Emory University; Stuart Hurst, Emory University; Brett Tracy, Emory University; April Grant, Emory University; Keneeshia Williams, Emory University; Randi Smith, Emory University; Christopher Dente, Emory University; Jason Sciarretta, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-01-01
• Publisher: Dove Medical Press Ltd.
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2019 Melmer et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S219021
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Volume: 12
• Start Page: 1013
• End Page: 1021
• Keywords: PLASMA; TRAUMA; CELL RATIOS; Health Care Sciences & Services; ATTACKS; multidisciplinary; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; EXERCISES; DAMAGE-CONTROL RESUSCITATION; mass shooting; mass casualty
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Mass casualty events (MCE) are an infrequent occurrence to most daily healthcare systems however these incidents are the causation for new hospital preparedness and the development of coordinated emergency services. The broad support and operational plans outside the hospital include emergency medical services, local law enforcement, government agencies, and city officials. Modern-day hospital disaster preparedness goals include scheduled training for healthcare personnel to ensure effective and accurate triage for a high volume of injured patients. This MDT collaboration strengthens the emergency response to optimize the delivery of life-saving care during MCEs. This review identifies the clinical importance of the interdisciplinary team interactions and the lessons learned from past MCE experiences, strengthening healthcare system readiness for such critical incidents.