The West blast exemplifies why trauma dollars are crucial. Physicians and hospitals were able to be ready for blast victims through coordination with the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council.

In all, 284 doctors, nurses and other caregivers answered the call for reinforcements at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center following the West, Texas explosion.

At Hillcrest, 28 patients remained hospitalized the following day, five of whom were in intensive care. Victims continued to trickle in during the day for treatment, including patients at Waco’s other hospital, Providence Health Center, where 68 patients had been seen. 

Doctors had treated mostly skin and soft tissue injuries, lung contusions, bruising, eye injuries from flying debris and burst eardrums. No chemical-related injuries had been noted. Other trauma surgeons were overwhelmed by the professionalism of other caregivers and staffers during a hectic night and described it as “controlled chaos.”

The types of injuries generally seen in blasts include traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, ruptured eyes, internal bruising to the lung or other internal organs. There is also the potential for broken arms and legs when people are flung through the air by a blast.

Read the full article at Star-Telegram