Burns caused by the terrorist bombing of the department store Hipercor in Barcelona. Part I.

A retrospective study was made of the treatment of 20 of the 66 casualties resulting from the terrorist bombing of the department store Hipercor in Barcelona in June 1987. The additional pressure of the work imposed on several units in the Hospital including the Burn Centre, the Sterilization, Radiodiagnosis, Pharmacy and Medical Units, and nursing staff, and the Intensive Care unit is described. The types and volumes of fluid therapy administered are also reported. The results of the study indicated: (1) the need for a disaster plan; (2) that burn centres should be integrated in large hospitals able to provide assistance from several units, and (3) the management of burns should involve debridement and wound coverage as soon as possible.