At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Stephen Epstein, attending physician in the emergency department, said X-rays of patients showed metal balls that appeared to be ball bearings.

WSJ: Two Explosions at Boston Marathon Finish Line

It said figures from the Department of Health and NHS England showed 167 emergency patients waited more than 12 hours in 2012-13, compared with 123 in 2011-12.

BBC: Brighton and Sussex NHS 'worst for A&E 12-hour waits'

In February the hospital had the worst performance in the East of England for delays in receiving patients from ambulances and delivering them to the accident and emergency department.

BBC: Norfolk hospital 'bed blockers' cause A&E failures

On April 18, Dr. Christopher Kabrhel had pizza delivered to the emergency department of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, Texas, which was treating patients from the deadly explosion the day before that damaged homes in a five-block area in nearby West.

CNN: After disasters, hospitals pay it forward

Brigham and Women's hospital staff treated injuries at the scene and also received 31 patients, including one who might lose a limb, said Ron Walls, chairman of the hospital's department of emergency medicine.

WSJ: Doctors Treating Boston Marathon Victims Describe Injuries