Medical response from the Boston bombing


In the aftermath of the Boston bombings, the medical response at the nearby hospitals was exemplary. Everyone who was evacuated from the scene, survived.

This article in the New Yorker outlines the medical response to the Boston bombing.

It is interesting to compare the differences between the response to Cyclone Tracey to the Boston Bombing

  Cyclone Tracey (1974)
Boston Bombing (2013)
Timing Christmas day – many people were on leave Normal day
Hospital affected Massively – wards destroyed, key staff dead and disabled Unaffected
Hospitals One Many
Nearest large hospital 2000 miles away Close
Communications None – no radio, phones -nothing Phones, TV, Twitter…
Roads Blocked by trees and debris Not obstructed
Power No power or steam. Emergency power and steam were restored quickly Normal
Staff Lots turned up despite families affected Afternoon shift stayed on
Evacuation Darwin evacuated – huge airlift, including hospital Not needed
Replacement staff A day later by air. Australian Army had field hospital, but this was prevented from going. Not needed

The main similarities were the adoption of triage so that resources can be best used where they will make a difference and the enormous response from staff to help and the initiative to fill gaps.

Some 65 people died from Cyclone Tracey, though at the time there wqere reports of 800 or more. So far less than 6 have died from the Boston bombing, incluidng a policeman and one of the bombers.