AFTER THE SHOOTING STOPS - FOLLOW-UP ON VICTIMS OF AN ASSAULT RIFLE ATTACH

Objective: To determine long-term medical, social, and psychological o utcome of survivors of a multiple-shooting mass casualty disaster. Des ign: A case-study review was performed 42 months after injury involvin g chart reviews and patient interviews. Participants: Survivors of a m ultiple shooting. Main Outcome Measures: The need for primary operativ e treatment, subsequent operations, and medical treatment related to t he injuries, current work status, and psychological impact of injury w as 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. C onclusions: Despite a well-functioning trauma system that maximized su rvival from devastating injury, considerable longterm morbidity and di sability persists, Efforts at prevention of mass casualties seem to be the only potential solution.