Prehospital and disaster medicine
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A disaster is characterized by an imbalance between needs and supplies. In circumstances in which there occur mass casualties, it is not possible to provide care for all of the victims. Thus, it may be necessary to triage the casualties according to pre-established priorities. ⋯ Triage always must follow established medical criteria and cannot be based on any other principles. Triage implies constant re-evaluation of victims as conditions of the victims and of available resources change continuously. In order to facilitate international coordination and cooperation, a universal classification system must be adopted.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Jan 2001
Volume kinetics of intravenous fluid therapy in the prehospital setting.
To study the volume effect of isotonic and hypertonic crystalloid fluid during ambulance transports after mild trauma, a prospective case-control study was initiated, using the ambulance and helicopter transport system in Stockholm. ⋯ Mild trauma prolonged the intravascular persistence of isotonic and hypertonic crystalloid fluid as compared to a control group.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Jan 2001
Application of international standards to disasters: summary and action plan.
The need for the application of international standards has been evolving over the last decade. Consistency is needed not just in how we respond, but in when we respond. The discussions in this theme reflected on the progress of standard setting both at the local level and internationally. ⋯ There is a clear need for international standards for the management of disasters. Positions and advocacy for these positions are required to define and implement such standards.
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To evaluate the aseptic efficacy of prefilled syringes compared with ampules when used in a polluted environment similar to that at a disaster site. ⋯ Results indicate that, in environments with airborne contaminants, the use of prefilled syringes may be useful for preventing bacterial contamination of the medicine inside.
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Jan 2001
Proceedings for the 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine: creating an agenda for action.
Disaster medicine has come to the forefront and has become the focus of interest not only in the medical community, but also in the eyes of the public. The 5th APCDM was convened in Vancouver, Canada, 27-30 September 2000. It brought together over 300 delegates from 32 countries to share their experiences and thoughts regarding disaster events and how to effectively manage them. ⋯ WADEM is requested to write "White Papers" on standards for the following areas: (a) management, (b) health/public health, (c) education/training, (d) psychosocial, and (e) disaster plans; (4) Establish task forces to anticipate and resolve issues around evolving and emerging disasters (e.g., chemical and biological terrorism, landmines, emerging infectious diseases). WADEM was again identified as the vehicle for promoting this action. The responsibility of the next meeting of the Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine will be to measure progress made in these areas by assessing how well these collective decisions have been implemented.