Objective: To describe the intervention of a pharmacy department, as well as medication requirements, in the healthcare emergency situation brought about by the terrorist attack of March 11, 2004 in Madrid. To compare this intervention with other similar experiences reported in the medical literature.
Method: A compilation of actions carried out by pharmacists directly involved in the management of this incident. A literature search of Medline, Cochrane Library, and Spanish Index Medicus databases.
Results: The pharmacy department acted to ensure the availability of all medication needed in the management of casualties by placing urgent orders in pharmaceutical laboratories, simplifying distribution networks, and staying in permanent contact with the medical and nursing staff of the emergency department, as well as with people in charge of emergency coordination. Most commonly used medications included plasma expanders, fluid therapy, blood-derived products, pain killers, antiseptics, peripheral myorelaxants, and antibiotics, which are consistent with those employed by other Madrid hospitals for this same attack.
Conclusions: The pharmacy department, as any other department in a hospital, should be ready to rapidly and effectively cope with any emergency situation. Having a protocol available including major intervention guidelines is advisable to reduce reaction times, anticipate potential complications, and effectively solve such situations.