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September 26, 2011
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West Texas Explosion 2013

Overview

West, Texas Explosion

April 18, 2013

April 17, 2013: A fire and massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas prompted widespread evacuations.  Patients streamed into area hospitals suffering from blast injuries, orthopedic injuries and lacerations.

Crisis responders at the scene are concerned about anhydrous ammonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anhydrous ammonia is a pungent gas with suffocating fumes that is used as a fertilizer. When exposed to humans, it can cause serious problems.

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Hospital Update: Regional Trauma Plan Worked

April 24, 2013

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

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Texas Explosion Tries Hospitals’ Crisis Planning

April 19, 2013

The fertilizer plant explosion in West,Texas has forced area hospitals to ramp up their crisis management plans.

Officials at several of the hospitals lauded the preparedness of their staff members. Raj Gandhi, MD, medical director of trauma services at JPS Health Network, said the area’s regional trauma plan have helped save lives.

Read the full article

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Entire Hospital Staff Arrives to Deal with Wave of Patients
West Texas Explosion

April 19, 2013

A large explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant left many dead and 180 wounded. Staff at area hospitals scrambled to treat patients.

The explosion was the result of a small fire at West Fertilizer in West, Texas. The fire apparently spread to tanks that contained chemicals used which prompted a massive blast.

At Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, the entire staff arrived at the facility to help treat the wounded. The hospital received more than 100 patients with lacerations, broken bones, and burn injuries.

Read the full article

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Other Events

  • Opiod Crisis
  • West Texas Explosion 2013
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September 26, 2011
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