Interim Planning Guidance for Preparedness and Response to a Mass Casualty Event Resulting from Terrorist Use of Explosives

• NCJ Number: 241566
• Author(s): Isaac Ashkenazi, M.D.; Richard C. Hunt, M.D.; Scott M. Sasser, M.D.; Sridhar V. Basavaraju, M.D.; Ernest E. Sullivent, M.D.; Vikas Kapil, D.O.; Lisa C. McGuire, Ph.D.; Lisa T. Garabino; Paula S. Peters, M.P.H.
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 36 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Policy/Procedure Handbook/Manual
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This manual is an interim planning guide for use by policymakers to prepare and respond to a mass casualty event resulting from terrorist use of explosives.

Abstract

This planning guide was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide information to policymakers on preparing and responding to a mass casualty event resulting from a terrorist use of explosives (TUE) event. The information in the guide focuses on two main areas: leadership in preparing for and responding to a TUE event, and effective care of patients in the pre-hospital and hospital environments during a TUE event. The information in the guide is presented in five chapters. The First chapter discusses the primary objectives of the guide, the nature of explosions and injuries, terrorism explosions and health care facilities, and the expected challenges to the health care system resulting from a TUE event. The second chapter presents principles for health systems' preparedness in emergencies. These principles include providing meta-leadership and deciding who's in charge, being proactive and expecting the unexpected, learning from others and involving the public, and developing connected emergency plans and communicating them during a mass casualty event. The third chapter addresses basic principles for pre-hospital care during a TUE event. These principles include maximizing availability of medical services personnel and resources, protecting on-scene personnel and patients, and managing fatalities. The fourth chapter presents information on handling patient distribution, while the fifth chapter addresses issues associated with surge capacities and capabilities for hospitals. These issues include a look at common challenges faced by hospitals in a terrorist bombing aftermath, providing a broad overview of how to manage a patient surge, and managing resources during a patient surge. It is hoped that the use of this guide will enable policy planners and health care leaders to maintain critical systems and improve outcomes for persons affected by terrorist bombings and mass casualty events. Figure and references