Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Dec 2019
Observational StudyRiots in Beirut: Description of the Impact of a New Type of Mass Casualty Event on the Emergency System in Lebanon.
In the summer of 2015, Beirut experienced a garbage crisis that led to rioting. Riot control measures resulted in multiple casualties. This study examines injury patterns of riot victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in a developing country. ⋯ Most patients had mild injuries on presentation. The emergency department experienced a high influx of patients. Complications and deaths can occur from seemingly nonlethal weapons used during riots and warrant effective prehospital and hospital disaster planning.
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Dec 2019
ReviewDisaster Medicine: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature From 2016.
The Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Disaster Medicine Interest Group, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response - Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE) team, and the National Institutes of Health Library searched disaster medicine peer-reviewed and gray literature to identify, review, and disseminate the most important new research in this field for academics and practitioners. ⋯ This first review highlighted the breadth of disaster medicine, including emerging infectious disease outbreaks, terror attacks, and natural disasters. We hope this review becomes an annual source of actionable, pertinent literature for the emerging field of disaster medicine.
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Jun 2019
Hospitals' Preparedness to Treat Pediatric Patients During Mass Casualty Incidents.
Little is known about the preparedness of hospitals to care for pediatric patients during a major incident in Japan. This study assessed the disaster preparedness of a children's hospital in Japan by using a disaster drill.Materials and MethodsWe performed a triage drill with all hospitalized patients. The triage tags and medical records were reviewed retrospectively. We determined the efficacy of triage education, the validity of the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) method for children, and the potential need for evacuation through the disaster drill. ⋯ Our findings suggest that disaster preparedness, such as educating hospital staff regarding disasters and establishing evacuation systems for a number of pediatric patients when a disaster happens, is essential for caring for hospitalized children during a mass casualty incident. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:429-432).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Jun 2019
Understanding the Impacts of Maritime Disruption Transportation to Hospital-Based Acute Health Care Supplies and Personnel in Coastal and Geographically Isolated Communities.
This study aimed to identify maritime transportation disruption impacts on available health care supplies and workers necessary to deliver hospital-based acute health care in geographically isolated communities post-disaster. ⋯ A maritime transportation disruption has the potential to impact the availability of hospital-based health care supplies and health care personnel necessary to deliver acute health care in coastal communities post-disaster. Multisector engagement is required to address complex interdependencies and competing priorities in emergency response. Additional research and public-private collaboration is necessary to quantify potential impacts of maritime transportation disruption on the acute health care system. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:440-448).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Apr 2019
Implications of Prenatal Exposure to the Spring 2011 Alabama and Missouri Tornadoes on Birth Outcomes.
Despite emerging evidence of the detrimental effects of natural disasters on maternal and child health, little is known about exposure to tornadoes during the prenatal period and its impact on birth outcomes. We examined the relationship between prenatal exposure to the spring 2011 tornado outbreak in Alabama and Joplin (Missouri) and adverse birth outcomes. ⋯ We found no association between tornado exposure and adverse birth weight and infant mortality rates. Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure can amplify the odds for a cesarean section. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:279-286).