After the shooting stops: follow-up on victims of an assault rifle attack.
OBJECTIVE
To determine long-term medical, social, and psychological outcome of survivors of a multiple-shooting mass casualty disaster.


METHODS
A case-study review was performed 42 months after injury involving chart reviews and patient interviews.


METHODS
Survivors of a multiple shooting.


METHODS
The need for primary operative treatment, subsequent operations, and medical treatment related to the injuries, current work status, and psychological impact of injury was determined.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients required operation initially; 12 are long-term survivors. Eight have returned to work. Most of the victims reported experiencing psychological and emotional problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a well-functioning trauma system that maximized survival from devastating injury, considerable long-term morbidity and disability persists. Efforts at prevention of mass casualties seem to be the only potential solution.
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky, USA.
J D
JD
Richardson
D
D
Davidson
F B
FB
Miller
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries; D003422:Critical Care; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D013534:Survival; D014754:Violence; D014942:Workers' Compensation; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery