Publications by authors named "Frank H F Ko"
Time Pattern of Presentation of Victims of High-Speed Passenger Ferry Mass Casualty Incidents to the Emergency Department.
Disaster Med Public Health Prep
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study examined mass casualty incidents involving high-speed passenger ferries in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2015, focusing on victim arrival patterns in emergency departments.
- It found that seriously injured victims (Injury Severity Score ≥ 9) arrived at emergency departments faster than those with minor injuries, influenced by factors such as evacuation methods and distance to medical facilities.
- The research concluded that the expected dual-wave phenomenon (initial minor injuries followed by severe cases) did not occur, emphasizing the importance of effective communication for timely resource allocation in emergencies.
Background: Accidents involving high-speed passenger ferries have the potential to cause mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), yet there is a lack of relevant studies available to inform hospital disaster preparedness planning.
Objective: The objective was to study the injury patterns and outcomes of MCI victims involved in high-speed passenger ferry accidents in Hong Kong waters.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015.