Israel schools the world on preventing hospital catastrophes during war

Researchers from Israel have released a new study offering practical lessons for hospitals worldwide on how to prepare for prolonged armed conflicts and large-scale emergencies. The paper, published in the Cambridge University Press, examines the mass casualty incident (MCI) protocol at Assuta Ashdod Hospital, a 300-bed facility in Israel that was targeted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Despite the chaos, the hospital continued functioning, thanks to a robust emergency preparedness program. The hospital had conducted MCI drills every three months and was built with "protected infrastructure" in sensitive areas. On the day of the attack, 87 casualties were treated for gunshot wounds, blast injuries, and burns, with patients moved to a secure "holding area" while scans were reviewed.

The study emphasizes that hospital MCI plans are a crucial component of wartime health systems preparedness, especially in light of recent conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel. The lead author, Maximilian Nerlander, notes that such conflicts are becoming more common and that other parts of the world may face similar challenges in the future.

The paper calls for hospitals to prioritize staff safety, mitigate burnout, and regularly conduct realistic drills to maintain operational performance under extreme stress.