‘Action needed for kids in mass casualty cases not same for adults’

VARANASI: The concluding sessions of the second Indo-Israeli trauma course and workshop on Mass Casualty Scenario (MCS) on Sunday focussed on mass casualty cases in paediatric population.
Addressing the participants, including police, PAC, 39 Gorkha Training Centre, NDRF, CRPF and RPF personnel at the Trauma Centre of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Dr. Hany Bahouth, director of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Rambam HCC, spoke on measures needs to be taken in any MCS and trauma incidents especially in pediatric cases. It’s necessary to understand that actions required for children in case of MCS do not remain the same for adults.
Regarding the differences in the pediatric population, he suggested ideas related to physiology, anatomy, psychology, biology, communications, social issues, and equipment ethical issues. It is essential to understand the triage process for the pediatric population, he said, explaining the action required in case of two kinds of pediatric scenarios- only the group of children or the combined group of adults and children.
Referring incidents like Karnei Shomron event in 2002, when a suicide bomber exploded himself at the entrance of a local restaurant, terror attack in a school in Pakistan, recent disasters involving pediatric victims of earthquakes in China, Haiti, Turkey, and Syria, Dr Bahouth suggested ways to be prepared for tackling such situations. Evacuation is an important part and it should be done by pediatric staff, he added. He also highlighted how planning, practicing, preparedness and family reunification are necessary.
Professor Michael (Mickey) Halberthal, Director and CEO of Rambam HCC introduced the participants to the underground hospital facility in Rambam HCC.
In this series of lectures, Mrs. Gila Hyams, director of nursing, threw light on the trauma coordinator’s role to ensure the overall quality assurance of the treatment during MCS. Dr. Lion Poles from Kaplan Medical Centre Rehovot explained how to counter toxic incidents. The experts also talked about the hospital surge capacity calculation in view of mega-mass casualties such as Madrid train bombings and London bombings. They also showed a video clip on a drill for optimal collaboration and coordination. Dr Lion Poles conducted a tabletop drill for enlightening the hospital staff about how to respond in a mega mass-casualties- incidence.
Professor in-charge of trauma center BHU Dr Saurabh Singh felicitated the delegates on the occasion.