South Florida hospital begins treating injured as Haiti quake victims begin arriving in waves

Fla. hospital: Haiti quake victims coming in waves

MIAMI — Injured survivors of Haiti’s devastating earthquake have begun arriving in South Florida for treatment.

The University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital has already received 11 patients, including eight U.S. citizens. Trauma surgeon Mark McKenney said Thursday that the injured were coming in waves and nine more patients were expected later that day.

McKenney said doctors have already performed an amputation and are treating a brain injury. He says six of the patients were in good to fair condition and four remain in critical.

McKenney said doctors at Jackson Memorial are considering using a satellite phone system to better assist doctors treating the injured in Haiti.

Information from: The Miami Herald, www.herald.com