Ramathibodi Hospital Medical Response to the Mass Casualty Incidence on 7th October 2008 using the Template for Observer Reports of Crises

Abstract

Introduction: Disasters, whether caused by unavoidable natural events or by avoidable man-made events, continue to increase in frequency worldwide. Disasters not only affects health directly, but also effects national social and economic infrastructure. This makes disasters preparedness and mitigation make a difference. Research and evaluation using standardized method and definition are useful for providing knowledge needed for preparedness and response to health practitioners. In Thailand, several events have occurred during the past decades. However there were limited numbers of research in the fields of disaster medicine. Current research methodology and reporting of the outcome of mass medical responses remain mainly anecdotal.

Objective: The main objective of the study was to study the response of Ramathibodi hospital to the mass casualty incidence on 7^th October 2008. The secondary objective was to report the outcome in the standardized manner by using the template for observer of crises, based on Guideline for Evaluation and Research in the Utstein Style.

Methods: This study was a management research of how Ramathibodi hospital response to the event on 7^th October 2008. The report of the study was written according to template for observer reports of crises. Data were obtained by the review of the patient records, electronic data base, and by interviewing medical personnel on duty during the time of the event. The SPSS version 15.0 was used for data collection and analysis. The statistic applied in the study was descriptive statistic.

Results: A total of 78 casualties came to Ramathibodi hospital. Most patients arrived during the first and second hour after the incidence. Most are male (65.4%), the mean age was 41.3 years. All casualties were contaminated from tear gas. Most of them suffered from non-critical injury. 44 patients (56.4%) had ISS 1. There were 53 patients (67.9%) discharged from the ED, 23 patients (29.5%) admitted to general ward and 1 patient (1.3%) admitted to the ICU. One patient died from this event.

Key words: Disaster research, Mass casualty, Disaster response