Analysis of multiple casualty incidents – a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Traffic accidents, residential fires and intoxications were the leading causes for MCIs. Emergency medical service could respond to most MCIs efficiently and safely. Majority of deviations from standard medical care seemed potentially preventable. Several areas for improvement were identified. From prehospital links, the dispatching centre and on-scene medical command had a vital role in the successful management of MCIs.

Incidence and Mortality Rates of Disasters and Mass Casualty Incidents in Korea: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2000-2009

“…In previous research, traffic crashes, residential fires and violence were reported as the leading causes of MCI (7). However, the leading causes for disasters in Korea were road crashes, general floods, incidents at mass gatherings, and fires.…”

“…Previous research carried out in the US, Britain, and Spain dealt only with natural disasters, MCIs, and major incidents (7, 27, 28). Spain showed a linear increase in the incidence of disasters over a 55-yr period (1950-2005), 82% of which were natural and 18% technical (2).…”

“…The term mass casualty incident (MCI) refers to disasters that involve many people (5, 6). MCIs occur in many different contexts, including car crashes, chemical leaks, building collapses, fires, terrorism events, and mass gatherings (7, 8). …”

“…An estimated loss of U$204 billion occurred due to natural disasters in the 1980s (10, 11). Disasters and MCIs consume local resources in the short and long term, and therefore, appropriate preparation is required to avoid high death and failure rates in such cases (7, 8). …”

Scientific Framework for Research on Disaster and Mass Casualty Incident in Korea: Building Consensus Using Delphi Method

“…When disasters and MCIs are not properly prepared, these can cause high mortality and failure rate, although we are spending the whole medical resources of the local community in short or long term period. In addition, disaster and the MCI impact on such a broad population in the community so that they cannot be managed without supports from outside (6-8). Thus the epidemiologic approach for the public health concerns is mandatory by recognition of the impact on the population, verification of the risk factor of the population, and allocation of the medical resources for the response to disasters and MCI.…”