The role and challenges of anesthesia service in mass casualties

Deterioration of social and economic conditions, climate changes, global trends, natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist activities and armed conflicts can result in mass casualties. In such situation health services are faced with significant organizational challenges and efforts aimed to reduce consequences, primarily morbidity and mortality. Along with numerous services, anesthesiology is one of the extremely important ones involved in the management of the consequences of mass accidents. Anesthesiologists are faced with numerous challenges, and their role covers a wide range of activities. Working in such stressful and burdensome situations requires good organization, leadership, education and planning. The choice of anesthesia and anesthetics depends on various factors. Adaptability and resilience of the anesthesiology service is one of the most important goals in arrangement and preparedness. Overcoming the challenges that may arise involves different measures. The plans that are prepared are subject of constant adjustment and occasional changes, thereby significantly reducing the risk of inappropriate actions and mistakes.