Prehospital and disaster medicine
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Oct 1995
Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of prehospital cervical immobilization devices using video and electromyography.
Previous evaluations of prehospital devices intended for spinal immobilization have focused on the device's ability to restrict motion only. This study defines six relevant criteria for evaluation of cervical immobilization device (CID) performance. ⋯ Device evaluation should include examination of all relevant performance parameters using the most accurate and meaningful methods possible.
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During a record snowfall in Worcester, Massachusetts, 11-13 December 1992, 37 male patients with hand injuries suffered during snow blower operation were seen at three area hospitals. Two previous reports describe 13 patients seen over a 3-year period and 28 patients over a 12-year period. This report describes the largest number of hand injuries from snow blowers that have occurred over a 48-hour period. ⋯ The majority, 27/37 (73%), were managed in emergency departments without interventions in the operating suites. Infection occurred in one patient who had the lesion repaired in the operating suite. As in previous studies, no differences were found for the variables of snow-blower age, type, or horsepower, or on experience level or age of the operators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Prehosp Disaster Med · Oct 1995
Medical care at mass gatherings: considerations for physician involvement.
Although many authorities define a "mass gathering" as a group exceeding 1,000 persons, several times that number likely are to be present. The event for which the group will gather may be anything from a rock concert to an Olympic competition. ⋯ Emergency medical care at public gatherings is haphazard at best and dangerous at worst. There are surprisingly few data from which to plan the emergency medical needs for public events and no recognized standards or guidelines for providing emergency medical services at mass public gatherings.