J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012 Jun;72(6):1709-13.
The Fort Hood Massacre: Lessons learned from a high profile mass casualty.
Source
From the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (J.W., J.M., R.C.F., M.L.D., E.W.C., R.W.S.), Department of Surgery, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; and Division of Trauma Services (M.L.C.), Round Rock Medical Center, Round Rock, Texas.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
On November 5, 2009, an army psychiatrist at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX, allegedly opened fire at the largest US military base in the world, killing 13 and wounding 32.
METHODS:
Data from debriefing sessions, news media, and area hospitals were reviewed.
RESULTS:
Ten patients were initially transferred to the regional Level I trauma center. The remainder of the shooting victims were triaged to two other local regional hospitals. National news networks broadcasted the Level I trauma center's referral phone line which resulted in more than 1,300 calls. The resulting difficulties in communication led to the transfer of two victims (one critical) to a regional hospital without a trauma designation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Triage at the scene was compromised by a lack of a secure environment, leading to undertriage of several patients. Overload of routine communication pathways compounded the problem, suggesting redundancy is crucial.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Prognostic study, level V.
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