Is the Healthcare Delivery System Prepared for the Next Terror Attack?

There has been a marked increase in mass casualty events in our society. Targets have included schools, malls, houses of worship, and yes, hospitals. Our staffing crisis unfortunately has negatively affected even our most robust trauma system and emergency rooms; there has also been the closure of many hospitals in rural areas, which has created healthcare deserts. The inability of many towns and small cities to care for “terror event” patients’ issues, of course, will affect how we deliver trauma care.

 

As such, it’s critical that anesthesia providers in small hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers receive training in Advanced Trauma Life Support to augment the local response. Additionally, communities need to develop a response plan that includes all of the local medical resources, such as ambulatory centers and urgent care facilities, in the event of an attack.

 

Finally, we should advocate for the public at large to participate in the American Red Cross’s STOP THE BLEED program to increase the pool of first responders who are able to treat severe bleeding. We should stockpile bandages and tourniquets in all potential target areas. Working together, we may be more able to respond to these horrific events in a more effective way, and ultimately save more lives.