Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Jul 2020
Adaptation of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Protocols to a Parisian Maternity Unit During the 2020 Pandemic: A Managerial Perspective.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic overwhelmed health services in France during March 2020 and, to cope, service delivery was reduced in most disciplines. However, as this was impossible for Obstetrics, the COVID-19 infection had to be added to existing clinical care pathways at the children's hospital, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades. This was further complicated by an increasing number of pregnancies affected by infection, in addition to scientific uncertainty about the virus. ⋯ By April 18, with the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic receding, protocols were again readjusted to meet new service delivery requirements. Although a full debrief is yet to occur, from an operational level perspective, staff response was more than satisfactory. While preventing another epidemic may be impossible, this experience will improve our resilience in the future.
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Jul 2020
The Role of Emergency Medical Services in Earthquake Response: Integrating the ABC Approach of Israel's Magen David Adom.
Throughout history, earthquakes have caused devastation and loss of life. Emergency medical services (EMS) plays a vital role in the response to any mass-casualty incident or disaster. Magen David Adom, Israel's premier EMS organization, has a unique strategy known as the ABC approach to earthquake response. ⋯ Anyone available outside of the region will come and help. A Level C earthquake is completely devastating, and all workers nationwide will be involved in responding to the catastrophe. The role of EMS responders using the ABC approach to earthquake response, as described here, may be integrated in part or whole in other EMS systems.