UA `Active Shooter Drill’ to Test and Train Emergency Responders, May 23

May 22, 2018

Emergency medicine resident-physicians at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson will participate in a realistic mass-shooting disaster exercise at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 23.

The entire exercise and triage process will occur outdoors at the Banner – University Medical Center South Behavioral Health Pavilion, 2800 E. Ajo Way. Normal operating procedures at the hospital will not be disrupted.

The mock scenario for Wednesday’s drill will be a mass shooting that had occurred at nearby Kino Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. The event is designed to train physicians for disaster preparedness in an effort to save as many lives as possible. The exercise is spearheaded by Daniel Beskind, MD, MPH, an associate professor of emergency medicine and medical director of emergency medical services at Banner – University Medical Center South.

“It’s vital for emergency responders to prepare for a large-scale disaster, like a mass shootings or natural disaster,” Dr. Beskind says. “We’re seeing more and more of these incidents occur in the real world and we need to show our residents how to manage an unexpected mass influx of patients.”

With more than 50 mock victims injured in the shooting, resident-physicians will be required to triage patients — the process of ordering patients who need treatment based on the severity of their injuries and treat them emergently.

More than 50 volunteers, including emergency medical technicians, UA medical students and others will take part in the drill. Mock injuries, such as gunshot wounds and lacerations, will be applied to volunteer victims prior to the exercise. Members of the Tucson Airport Authority also will be on site, providing medical supplies such as tourniquets and bandages.

After the exercise, the UA Department of Emergency Medicine and event volunteers will regroup to debrief and discuss how the medical response could have been improved.

“It’s important for us to do drills regularly and learn from our mistakes and where we can improve,” Dr. Beskind explains. “That way, if disaster ever strikes, we will be better prepared.”

*Note to reporters: In preparation for the scenario, mock injuries will be applied to volunteers at 9 a.m. The drill will commence at approximately 10 a.m. As this is a real training exercise, physicians cannot be disturbed for interviews until after the completion of the drill at approximately 11 a.m.

About the UA College of Medicine – Tucson

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is shaping the future of medicine through state-of-the-art medical education programs, groundbreaking research and advancements in patient care in Arizona and beyond. Founded in 1967, the college boasts more than 50 years of innovation, ranking among the top medical schools in the nation for research and primary care. Through the university’s partnership with Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country, the college is leading the way in academic medicine. For more information, please visit medicine.arizona.edu.

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