Annals of emergency medicine
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To determine the effect of Hurricane Andrew on a pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Following a hurricane, personnel in a pediatric ED can expect to see an increased census, with more diagnoses of open wounds, gastroenteritis, and skin infections. They may also see hydrocarbon and bleach ingestions. Alerting parents to the potential for injury and accidental poisoning in their children after a hurricane may help prevent the reported morbidity.
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To describe the conventional triage consequences of war zone casualties compared against expected NATO triage casualty estimates; the influence of the Revised Trauma Score on triage sensitivity; and evaluation of physiological parameters considered potentially useful to improved triage specificity and sensitivity. ⋯ Conventional triage is a useful tool for war and conflict; it is experience dependent. Had the anticipated number of casualties actually occurred in this war, we conclude that the triage process would have benefitted from additional information, probably physiologic information, to improve the sensitivity and specificity of our findings.
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Law enforcement agencies are recognizing the need to have emergency medical care available at the scene of any incident involving tactical operations. The potentially volatile and dangerous atmosphere surrounding tactical operations is conducive to severe injury to officers, hostages, suspects, and bystanders. This mandates the immediate availability of basic and advanced life support services. ⋯ It also may disrupt the law enforcement mission. These factors mandate a different set of field assessment and treatment priorities. To meet these needs, selected prehospital personnel and emergency physicians train to work with and support special weapons and tactics teams.
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To evaluate the public health impact of a hurricane on an inland area. ⋯ Hurricanes can lead to substantial morbidity in an inland area. Disaster plans should address risks associated with stinging insects and hazardous equipment and should address ways to improve case reporting.
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Hospital disaster planning should encompass events that affect the safety of the hospital environment and address those measures that ensure the availability of necessary services. Although most of the emphasis has been placed on general disaster planning, there is little written about disasters occurring within a hospital. In recent years, several incidents at our medical center involving fire, flood, and power failure resulted in a reevaluation of our preparedness to handle such situations. These experiences prompted this discussion and literature review of internal disaster plan because it is likely that at some time an internal emergency may occur.