Prehospital and disaster medicine
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Aug 2018
Patient Presentation Trends at 15 Mass-Gathering Events in South Australia.
IntroductionMass gatherings are complex events that present a unique set of challenges to attendees' health and well-being. There are numerous factors that influence the number and type of injuries and illnesses that occur at these events, including weather, event and venue type, and crowd demographics and behavior. ProblemWhile the impact of some factors, such as weather conditions and the availability of alcohol, on patient presentations at mass gatherings have been described previously, the influence of many other variables, including crowd demographics, crowd behavior, and event type, is poorly understood. Furthermore, a large number of studies reporting on the influence of these variables on patient presentations are based on anecdotal evidence at a single mass-gathering event.
-
The World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM; Madison, Wisconsin USA) is a multi-disciplinary professional association whose mission is the global improvement of prehospital and emergency health care, public health, and disaster health and preparedness. In April 2017, the biennial general meeting of the World Congress for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WCDEM) endorsed the WADEM Climate Change Position Statement, which was subsequently published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine in July 2017. ⋯ Special report: WADEM climate change position statement. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):428-431.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Aug 2018
Portable Health Care Facilities in Disaster and Rescue Zones: Characteristics and Future Suggestions.
IntroductionNatural and man-made disasters are becoming global concerns. Natural disasters appear to be growing in number and intensity due to global warming, population explosion, increased travel, and overcrowding of cities. ⋯ National and international organizations; nongovernmental, military, and commercial organizations; and even private donors enlist to provide humanitarian and medical support and to send supplies, shelters, and temporary health care facilities to disaster zones. ProblemThe literature is sparse regarding the design of portable health care facilities intended for disaster zones and their adaptability to the tasks required and site areas.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Aug 2018
The Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: Lessons for Evidence Integration from a WADEM 2017 Presentation and Panel Discussion.
In April 2017, some of the health impacts of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and resultant Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster (Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) were presented at the 19th Congress of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM; Madison, Wisconsin USA) in Toronto, Canada. A panel discussion was then opened by asking audience members about their experiences in their own countries, and how they would suggest taking steps to reach the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This paper summarizes the presentation and panel discussion, with a particular focus on the common problems identified in understanding and reducing health risks from disasters in multiple countries, such as the ethical and practical difficulties in decision making on evacuating vulnerable populations that arose similarly during the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 and Hurricane Ike's approach to Galveston (Texas USA) in 2008. ⋯ Leppold C, Ochi S, Nomura S, Murray V. The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster: lessons for evidence integration from a WADEM 2017 presentation and panel discussion. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):424-427.