Triage en cas d'attaque terroriste: Des limites

Triage in Complex, Coordinated Terrorist Attacks
Pepper M et Al. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019 Aug;34(4):442-448. 

Introduction:

Terror attacks have increased in frequency, and tactics utilized have evolved. This creates significant challenges for first responders providing life-saving medical care in their immediate aftermath. The use of coordinated and multi-site attack modalities exacerbates these challenges. The use of triage is not well-validated in mass-casualty settings, and in the setting of intentional mass violence, new and innovative approaches are needed.

Methods:

Literature sourced from gray and peer-reviewed sources was used to perform a comparative analysis on the application of triage during the 2011 Oslo/Utoya Island (Norway), 2015 Paris (France), and 2015 San Bernardino (California USA) terrorist attacks. A thematic narrative identifies strengths and weaknesses of current triage systems in the setting of complex, coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs).

Discussion:

Triage systems were either not utilized, not available, or adapted and improvised to the tactical setting. The complexity of working with large numbers of patients, sensory deprived environments, high physiological stress, and dynamic threat profiles created significant barriers to the implementation of triage systems designed around flow charts, physiological variables, and the use of tags. Issues were identified around patient movement and "tactical triage."

Conclusion:

Current triage tools are inadequate for use in insecure environments, such as the response to CCTAs. Further research and validation are required for novel approaches that simplify tactical triage and support its effective application. Simple solutions exist in tactical triage, patient movement, and tag use, and should be considered as part of an overall triage system.

 

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Quel médecin en role 1 ?

Perceptions of Frontline Providers on the Appropriate Qualifi cations for Battalion Level Care in United States Army Ground Maneuver Forces

Malish RG et Al. Military Medicine, 176, 12:1369, 2011

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Il est habituel pour nous qu'un médecin déployé en role 1 soit un médecin généraliste. Ce n'est pas le cas dans d'autres armées notamment l'armée américaine où d'une part des spécialistes hospitaliers  et d'autre part des officiers de santé ("physician assistant, souvent ancien combat medic) peuvent être déployés en role 1. 

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Objectives:

The U.S. Army emplaces physician assistants (PAs) in its maneuver battalions. When contingencies arise, clinic-based physicians join them to augment capability. Because both entities operate similarly, the policy permits a comparison of perceptions of optimal skill sets for the battalion medical mission.

 

Methods:

 

We conducted a survey to discover associations in opinion regarding the best qualifi cations for battalion care. We asked deployed PAs and physicians to rate themselves and their counterparts in eight domains. We hypothesized that both entities would rate PAs as superior based on their permanent presence at battalion level and their familiarity with the disease and injury patterns of their population.

 

Results:

 

Among 26 respondents, PAs awarded themselves a score of 8.3 ± 0.3 out of 10 and a score of 6.5 ± 0.5 to physicians. Physicians awarded PAs a score of 8.4 ± 0.3 and themselves a score of 8.3 ± 0.3. 

 

Conclusion:

 

Participants support the PA as an appropriate capability for battalion care in prolonged combat environments.