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Orlando doctors who helped Pulse victims weigh in on staff response in Las Vegas attack

By Janine Reyes
By Janine Reyes
As the nation reels in shock from a mass shooting in Las Vegas, two Orlando doctors are weighing in on what emergency staff go through in the hours following such a shooting.
One doctor from Orlando Regional Medical Center was in Las Vegas in July to present lessons learned from the Pulse terror attack, in which 49 people were shot and killed.
Las Vegas shooting: Remembering the victims
Other ORMC physicians have also given speeches across the nation.
“Brings back a lot of pain and sorrow for what we went through, but really just sadness for them and we're here to help,” said Dr. Eric Alberts.  
Alberts said seeing images of Las Vegas under gunfire brought back memories of his own experience with what was at the time the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.
Read: How to help the victims of the Las Vegas shooting
He and Dr. Joseph Ibrahim worked to save the Pulse nightclub shooting survivors and they are struggling to imagine working to save the hundreds of victims their colleagues in Las Vegas are now treating.
“To be prepared for 500--I don't know if anybody can be prepared for something like that,” said Ibrahim.
ORMC has helped other hospitals prepare for large emergency medical needs by sharing what they learned during Pulse.
Read: Doctor's post showing blood-stained shoes tells powerful story 
“We got a lot of lessons learned out of that and got a lot of our processes better for the future,” said Ibrahim.  
The 51-page “After Action” report stressed the need to keep additional medical supplies in stock and the need for a mass notification system for doctors, staff and medical personnel.
That system is still being developed.
Ibrahim teaches a free community class called “Stop the Bleed.” 
It shows anyone how to take emergency steps that could save lives. Without help, a victim can bleed out in as short a time as five minutes.
 “The true first responder is going to be someone standing there at the event and their friend or loved one gets shot,” he said.
One of the biggest needs in Las Vegas will be blood.
Doctors said while some may want to donate food and water for the medical staff, it’s not helpful because it strains an already-stressed facility.

Cox Media Group

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