Prehospital and disaster medicine
-
This study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among professional ambulance personnel in Sweden and investigated the question: "Does self-knowledge have influence on how well one copes with the effects of daily work exposure from such events?" Little is known about the variables that might be associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms in high-risk occupational groups such as ambulance service groups. ⋯ The mental health and emotional well-being of ambulance personnel appear to be compromised by accident and emergency work. The high prevalence of PTSD symptoms in ambulance personnel indicates an inability to cope with post-traumatic stress caused by daily work experiences.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Jul 2004
Public health preparedness for mass-casualty events: a 2002 state-by-state assessment.
The ongoing threat of a terrorist attack places public agencies under increasing pressure to ensure readiness in the event of a disaster. Yet, little published information exists regarding the current state of readiness, which would allow local and regional organizations to develop disaster preparedness plans that would function seamlessly across service areas. The objective of this study is to characterize state-level disaster readiness soon after September 2001 and correlate readiness with existing programs providing an organized response to medical emergencies. ⋯ These findings suggest that disaster plans are prevalent among states. However, key programs and policies were noticeably absent. Communication systems remain fragmented and adequate training programs and protective equipment for health personnel are markedly lacking. Statewide trauma systems may provide a framework upon which to build future medical disaster readiness capacity.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Apr 2004
Practice Guideline GuidelineInternational standards and guidelines on education and training for the multi-disciplinary health response to major events that threaten the health status of a community.
The 13th World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine, convened in Melbourne, Australia in May 2003, requested the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) to lead the development of "International Standards and Guidelines on Education and Training for "Disaster Medicine". This Paper has been developed by a Working Group of the WADEM Education Committee ("the Working Group") in response to that request from the international "Disaster Medicine" and emergency health community. The main focus of the Working Group is to develop standards and guidelines for education and training in the multi-disciplinary health response to major events that threaten the health status of a community. The contemporary view is that of a multi-disciplinary health response to major events which threaten the health status of a community, including the prevention and mitigation of future events, and taking account of the broader context in which these events occur. It is the vision of the Working Group that evidence-based standards and guidelines for education and training must be developed in a broad sense, for all members of the healthcare community. Rather than purely describing isolated performance indicators, the Working Group agreed that priority be given to explaining the general approach, presenting the conceptual framework, clarifying important principles, and describing the educational needs and training requirements for situations for which there exist a major threat to the health status of a community. It is not the intent to produce an updated educational curriculum for special courses in "Disaster Medicine" by listing levels of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills required for medical doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Nor, does the Working Group think it is useful to repeat requirements and learning outcomes that are part of the normal basic education and training for the various health professionals. The purpose of this Issues Paper is to present an initial summary of current issues relating to an international perspective of "Disaster Medicine" education and training. This summary has been prepared following discussions within the Working Group of the WADEM Education Committee. The paper aims to stimulate debate and form the basis of further of discussion at an international meeting scheduled to be held in Brussels (Belgium) on 29-31 October 2004. The Working Group has structured this Issues Paper into five parts and has identified several key issues for discussion. Part 1: Understanding the contemporary interpretation of the multi-disciplinary health response to major events that threaten the health status of a community. Issue 1: Definitions and terminology in "Disaster Medicine"; Issue 2: Getting to grips with the contemporary concepts and international trends in 'Disaster Medicine"; and, Issue 3: Valuing personal attributes in "Disaster Medicine" practitioners. Part 2: Developing an underlying scientific framework for linking theory to practice in "Disaster Medicine". Issue 4: Creating a scientific framework(s) for "Disaster Medicine". Part 3: Defining a conceptual framework and general principals to develop "International Standards and Guidelines on Education and Training for the Multi-disciplinary Health Response to Major Events that Threaten the Health Status of a Community". Issue 5.: Where are we now? Getting to grips with the contemporary concepts and international trends in "Disaster Medicine" education and training. Issue 6: Where do we want to get to? Identifying contemporary, evidence-based education and training standards and guidelines for 'Disaster Medicine" education and training programs. Issue 7: How do we get there? Overcoming barriers to introducing the International Standards and Guidelines. Part 4: Maintaining the momentum--improving international collaboration. Issue 8: Exploring the feasibility of an ongoing, international, collaborative network of "Centres of Excellence" in "Disaster Medicine" research and/or education. Part 5: Additional input. Issue 9: What other issues would you like to bring to the attention of the Working Group? ⋯ The results of the consultation will lead to the development of international standards and guidelines that will be presented and consensus sought during the 14th World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WCDEM-14) to be convened in Edinburgh in May, 2005.
-
Search and rescue helicopters from the Royal Norwegian Air Force conduct ambulance and search and rescue missions in the Barents Sea. The team on-board includes an anesthesiologist and a paramedic. Operations in this area are challenging due to long distances, severe weather conditions, and arctic winter darkness. ⋯ Using a heavy search and rescue helicopter in the Barents Sea was the right decision in terms of medical gain and operative risk.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Apr 2004
Challenges of major incident management when excess resources are allocated: experiences from a mass casualty incident after roof collapse of a military command center.
During a military exercise in northern Norway in March 2000, the snow-laden roof of a command center collapsed with 76 persons inside. Twenty-five persons were entrapped and/or buried under snow masses. There were three deaths. ⋯ The stretcher and treatment teams initially could have been more effectively organized. As resources were ample, this was a mass casualty, not a disaster. Firm incident command prevented the influx of excess resources.