Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Oct 2016
Zika Virus: A Basic Overview of an Emerging Arboviral Infection in the Western Hemisphere.
Since February 2015, Zika virus has spread throughout the Western Hemisphere, starting in Brazil. As of March 2016, autochthonous transmission has been reported in at least 31 countries or territories. ⋯ This article provides an overview of the Zika virus infection and presents the historical background of the virus, a description of the pathogen, the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of Zika virus infection, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and prevention and control measures. Understanding what is known about the virus and its clinical presentation will assist in prevention, detection, and response measures to reduce and control the spread of the virus throughout the Western Hemisphere. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 6).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Aug 2016
Using Timely Survey-Based Information Networks to Collect Data on Best Practices for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Illustrative Case From the American College of Emergency Physicians' Ebola Surveys.
Using the example of surveys conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) regarding the management of Ebola cases in the United States, we aimed to demonstrate how survey-based information networks can provide timely data to inform best practices in responding to public health emergencies. ⋯ Professional associations can use their member networks to collect timely survey data to inform best practices during and immediately after public health emergencies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:681-690).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Aug 2016
Survey of Ebola Preparedness in Washington State Emergency Departments.
The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa remains the most deadly in history. Emergency departments (EDs) are more likely to come into contact with potential EVD patients. It is important for EDs to be prepared to care for suspected EVD patients. Our objective was to understand the perceived challenges experienced by Washington State ED medical directors in EVD preparedness. ⋯ Washington State ED medical directors have faced significant challenges in ensuring their EDs are prepared to safely care for suspected EVD patients. Attitudes toward EVD preparations are mixed. Varying levels of perceived importance may represent an additional barrier to statewide EVD preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:662-668).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Aug 2016
Disaster Medicine: A Multi-Modality Curriculum Designed and Implemented for Emergency Medicine Residents.
Few established curricula are available for teaching disaster medicine. We describe a comprehensive, multi-modality approach focused on simulation to teach disaster medicine to emergency medicine residents in a 3-year curriculum. ⋯ Given the large scope of impact that disasters potentiate, it is understandably difficult to teach these skills effectively. Training programs can utilize this simulation-based curriculum to better prepare the nation's emergency medicine physicians for future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:611-614).
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Disaster Med Public Health Prep · Apr 2016
Threat of Secondary Chemical Contamination of Emergency Departments and Personnel: An Uncommon but Recurrent Problem.
To analyze acute hazardous substance release surveillance data for events involving secondary contamination of hospital emergency departments (EDs). Secondary contamination of EDs may occur when a patient exposed to a hazardous chemical is not decontaminated before arrival at the ED and when ED staff are not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. This can result in adverse health outcomes among department personnel, other patients, and visitors. Even events without actual secondary contamination risk can be real in their consequences and require the decontamination of the ED or its occupants, evacuation, or temporary shutdown of the ED. ⋯ These results suggest that although rare, incidents involving secondary contamination continue to present a hazard for emergency departments. Suggested best practices to avoid secondary contamination have been described. Hospitals should be made aware of the risks associated with secondary contamination and the need to proactively train and equip staff to perform decontamination.