Differentiating mass disasters. The barzullah classification.

BACKGROUND To assess the pattern of mass casualty incidents managed at our hospital over the last eight years, and evolve a differentiating classification based on this pattern. A combination of retrospective and prospective assessment was made. MATERIAL AND METHODS All patients receiving injuries in mass casualty incidents and managed at our hospital. Patients with an injury severity score above 9. Management of injuries as per the trauma management protocol. Classification based on the data collected during the study and application of this classification to the subsequent mass casualty incidents to allow comparison between similar incidents in different settings. RESULTS A classification system that mainly differentiates mass casualty incidents on the hospital basis, the criteria being: the time interval between the first information to first reception, and the percentage of admission above the maximum normal intake. CONCLUSIONS The Barzullah classification system is the first attempt at developing a hospital based differentiation in mass casualty incidents. It provides a valid and easy method of comparing such incidents between hospitals and perhaps a basis for developing protocol for mass disaster management.