Working With Medical Personnel in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting

Abstract

The rising number of mass casualty incidents in the United States has exposed hospital personnel to more traumatic events on the job than ever before, with research citing a lack of mental health support following such events. It is often assumed that the advanced training of medical professionals serves as a protective factor against PTSD and other mental health disorders resulting from occupational trauma. However, this notion is false, and if left untreated, these mental health issues may extend beyond personal distress and negatively impact patient care. Furthermore, not all hospital personnel who are directly exposed to mass casualty incidents have advanced medical training, and many of these individuals have had no experience with these types of traumas. This chapter outlines planning and implementation measures that hospitals can take prior to a mass casualty incident occurring, followed by steps, strategies, and supports that can be deployed once a hospital has become a treating facility for victims of a mass casualty incident.