Hospitals can generally anticipate an increase in patient volume following a disaster in the community. However, as disasters such as Hurricane Katrina have shown us, this surge may persist even beyond the immediate influx of patients, especially if there is significant local damage.  From dialysis centers to ambulatory care clinics to outpatient chemotherapy- if other health care facilities are inoperable, those patients will rely on the nearest hospital for their medical needs.

The call was to a shooting; no other information was provided. You arrive to find a gunshot wound to the mouth, self-inflicted, the shotgun still warm, the patient still conscious. A last minute flinch sent the blast careening through the patient’s cheek – a survivable wound, if you can keep the airway clear. But with heavy bleeding and massive tissue destruction, maintaining a patent airway is going to be tricky. You better have your suction ready.