Minneapolis Doctor Provides Update on School Shooting Victims at HCMC

Mass Casualty Incident Response

• 🚨 HCMC received a page for a mass casualty incident at 8:46 a.m. this morning, mobilizing all resources as a Level 1 Trauma Center.
• 🏥 A total of 11 patients were received from the incident: two adults and nine pediatric patients.
• ⏱️ The hospital had time to prepare due to the nature of the page, allowing for mobilization of surgical, medical, nursing, and support teams.

Patient Status and Injuries

• 🏥 Up to this point, there have been no fatalities among the patients brought to HCMC.
• 🔪 Four patients required operating room intervention.
• ⚠️ Seven patients were initially brought in as critical, with all pediatric patients falling into this category.
• 💥 The injuries sustained are gunshot wound injuries from apparently high-velocity weapons, affecting multiple body systems.

Hospital Resources and Staff

• 🧑‍⚕️ The hospital staff, including surgical colleagues, medical teams, nursing staff, and psychologists, are commended for their response.
• 🚑 Emergency Medical Services directors on scene provided crucial information for preparation.
• 🩸 Resources like operating rooms, the laboratory, and the blood bank were mobilized for the response.

Patient Reunification and Transfer

• 🤝 A reunification center was established across the street, and it is believed all or almost all families have been reunited with patients.
• 🏥 Non-critical patients were transferred to Children's Hospital and Masonic Children's Hospital.

Emotional Toll on Staff

• 😥 The events take a significant emotional toll on physicians and nurses, with psychologists available to help manage the impact.
• 🫂 Despite the toll, staff recognize their role as a critical resource for the community and must process and move forward.