Waco hospital treated range of explosion injuries

It’s also important to observe patients who only have mild injuries, but who physicians suspect may have been exposed to the blast wave, because they might have primary blast injuries that may not initially cause symptoms, noted Dr. Severance.

As for the tragedy in West, Tex., reflecting on the experience, Dr. Hartman said that caring for people hurt in the explosion underscored for him the importance of hospitals being prepared and having practiced for mass casualty disasters.

None of the doctors interviewed for this article had any relevant conflicts.