Intensive care in a field hospital in an urban disaster area: lessons from the August 1999 earthquake in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity3126 @entity233 @entity299 @entity130
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with the implementation of intensive care in the setting of a field hospital, deployed to the site of a major urban disaster. DESIGN: Description of our experience during mission to @entity233 ; conclusions regarding implementation of intensive care at disaster sites. SETTING: Military Field Hospital at Adapazari in @entity233 . @entity1 : Civilian @entity1 admitted for care at the field hospital. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On August 17, 1999 a major earthquake occurred in western @entity233 , causing approximately 16,000 fatalities and leaving >44,000 injured. Approximately 66,000 buildings were severely damaged or destroyed. A medical unit of the Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps, consisting of 23 physicians, 13 nurses, nine paramedics, 13 medics, laboratory and roentgen technicians, pharmacists, and associated support personnel, were sent to Adapazari in @entity233 . The field hospital treated approximately 1,200 @entity1 over a period of 2 wks, 70 surgical operations were performed, 20 babies were delivered, and a variety of medical, surgical, orthopedic, and pediatric/neonatal care was provided. The 12-bed intensive care unit operated by the unit, was staffed by three physicians and eight nursing/paramedic personnel. @entity1 mix was: a total of 63 @entity1 , among them five with major @entity130 , 20 with @entity299 , 15 @entity1 with various acute medical conditions, and 11 surgical and postoperative @entity1 . Three @entity1 were intubated and mechanically ventilated (one @entity3126 and two major @entity130 ). The intensive care unit provided the following functions to the field hospital: care of the critically ill and injured, preparation for and implementation of transportation of such @entity1 , pre- and postoperative care for major surgical procedures, expertise, and equipment for the care of very ill @entity1 throughout the field hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In suitable circumstances, an intensive care capability should be an integral part of medical expeditions to major disasters.
