Prehospital and disaster medicine
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Sep 2006
Impact of the San Diego county firestorm on emergency medical services.
In October 2003, San Diego County, California, USA, experienced the worst firestorm in recent history. During the firestorm, public health leaders implemented multiple initiatives to reduce its impact on community health using health updates and news briefings. This study assessed the impact of patients with fire-related complaints on the emergency medical services (EMS) system during and after the firestorm. ⋯ Although the firestorm had the potential to significantly impact EMS, pre-emptive actions resulted in minimal impact to emergency departments and the prehospital system. However, during the event, there were a number of lessons learned that can be used in future events.
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The First Access for Shock and Trauma (FAST 1) Sternal Intraosseous (IO) System is a vascular access device designed as an alternative to peripheral or central intravenous (IV) cannulation for the treatment of critically ill and injured adults. During the development of the device, key objectives included safety, speed of insertion, and ease of use with minimal training. This study evaluated these characteristics. ⋯ Placement of the FAST 1 is fast, accurate, and easy to use. Paramedics had useful input concerning the design of the product.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Sep 2006
Express railway disaster in Amagasaki: a review of urban disaster response capacity in Japan.
On the morning of 25 April 2005, a Japan Railway express train derailed in an urban area of Amagasaki, Japan. The crash was Japan's worst rail disaster in 40 years. This study chronicles the rescue efforts and highlights the capacity of Japan's urban disaster response. ⋯ The urban disaster response to the train crash in Amagasaki was rapid and effective. The Kobe Earthquake and other incidents sparked changes that improved disaster preparedness in Amagasaki. However, communication and cooperation among responders were hampered, as in previous disasters, by the lack of a structured command system. Application of an incident command system may improve disaster coordination in Japan.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Sep 2006
Health aspects of disaster preparedness and response. Report from a regional meeting of countries of South East Asia; Bangkok, Thailand, 21-23 November 2005.
This Supplement is a Report of the Conference convened by the South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Conference was a follow-up to the WHO Conference of May 2005 in Phuket, Thailand on the Earthquake and Tsunami of 26 December 2004. The invitational meeting brought together representatives of 11 countries impacted by the events. The goal of the Conference was to produce a plan of action that meets the specific needs of the countries and ensure that the countries of the Region will be better equipped to cope with any future event. ⋯ The Conference delivered an important set of benchmarks and strategies that, when implemented, will facilitate the countries and the communities within them reaching better levels of preparedness and response to future events. Attaining the benchmarks will decrease the number of lives lost and minimize the pain and suffering associated with such events.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Sep 2006
Reactions to cold exposure emphasize the need for weather protection in prehospital care: an experimental study.
Exposure to cold temperature is a serious but often neglected problem in prehospital care. It not only is an uncomfortable, subjective experience, but it also can cause severe disturbances in vital functions, gradually leading to hypothermia. ⋯ Cold exposure provoked immediate protective vasoconstriction in the peripheral compartment, which caused linear decreases of local skin temperatures. This probably was triggered from the unprotected face and upper respiratory areas.