RT Journal
A1 Segraves JE
T1 A small community hospital handles a disaster
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1959
FD May 16
VO 170
IS 3
SP 277
OP 279
DO 10.1001/jama.1959.03010030021005
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.03010030021005
AB Several basic factors appear important in planning a program for handling of mass disaster victims by a small community hospital. The first 24-hour treatment program must be outlined in detail. Team approach is the only logical one, with provision for alternate chiefs. Frequent practice sessions are necessary, and stockpiles of dressings, drugs, aged plasma, and electrolytes must be kept available. In any sizable disaster, the exposed method is the only way to handle burn cases. Identification tags for school children appear desirable. Police should have information about available hospitals in given areas and their casualty capacity. The hospital involved in the situation reported here, a school fire, has 350 beds.