Managing a front-line field hospital in Libya: Description of case mix and lessons learned for future humanitarian emergencies

African Journal of Emergency Medicine

Adam C. Levine¹  Pranav Shetty² 

[1] Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Alpert Medical School, Providence, 02903 Rhode Island, USA;International Medical Corps, Santa Monica, 90404 California, USA;

关键词: Complex political emergency;    Humanitarian relief;    Field hospital;    Trauma;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.afjem.2012.01.005

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Between June and August 2011, International Medical Corps deployed a field hospital near the front-line of the fighting between government troops and opposition fighters in Western Libya. The field hospital cared for over 1300 combatants and non-combatants from both sides of the conflict during that time period, the vast majority of them presenting with war-related injuries. Over 60% of battle-related injuries were due to shrapnel wounds and blast injuries from exploding small mortars, with smaller percentages due to battle-related motor vehicle accidents, gun shot wounds, burns, and other causes. The most pertinent lessons learned from our experience were the importance of dedicating significant resources to logistics and supply chain management, the rewards garnered from building strong ties with the local community early in the deployment of the field hospital, and the need to pay careful attention to basic principles of humanitarian ethics.

【 授权许可】

Unknown