[How to deal with blast injuries. 15 tips for healthcare providers]

Abstract

The recent terror attacks in Paris and Brussels have made the subject of injuries caused by explosives, also known as 'blast injuries', a very current one. The Netherlands has limited experience with terrorist attacks. This means that Dutch medical care providers possibly do not have sufficient knowledge about dealing with blast injuries. After explaining the mechanisms of explosions and the effects that these have on the human body, we go on to provide 15 tips on the main principles of treating blast injuries. These tips will help healthcare providers to deal with the complex requirements of victims of terror.