Preparing for Mass Casualty Events.

There are many forms of mass casualty events, including mass trauma, exposure to radiation and chemical agents, biological exposure (pandemics and bioterrorism), or a combination of insults. The underlying theme is that the number and severity of patients outstrip the resources available. These events are more common than thought. Planning and preparation allow institutions to better respond to the patient surge and thus mitigate the consequences-ultimately saving lives and reducing morbidity.