American journal of disaster medicine
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The aim of this study was to characterize the public health emergency perceptions and willingness to respond (WTR) of hospital-based pediatric staff and to use these findings to propose a methodology for developing an institution-specific training package to improve response willingness. ⋯ Children represent a uniquely vulnerable population in public health emergencies, and pediatric hospital staff accordingly represent a vital subset of responders distinguished by specialized education, training, clinical skills, and disaster competencies. Even though the majority of pediatric hospital staff report WTR, nearly 15 percent for a pandemic influenza emergency and 25 percent for an RDD event would not respond if required. Other institutions can apply the methodology used here to identify particularly influential response willingness modifiers for pediatric care providers. These insights can inform customized preparedness training for pediatric healthcare workers, through identification of high-impact attitudes/beliefs, and training initiatives focused on addressing these modifiers.
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To describe factors associated with inpatient mortality in a field hospital established following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. ⋯ Following earthquakes in resource-limited settings, survivors may require care in field hospitals for injuries or exacerbation of chronic medical conditions. Planning for sustained post-earthquake response should address these needs and include pediatric-specific preparation and long-term critical care requirements.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Radiostethoscopes: an innovative solution for auscultation while wearing protective gear.
To demonstrate a radiostethoscope that could be modified and successfully used while wearing protective gear to solve the problem of auscultation in a hazardous material or infectious disease setting. ⋯ Radiostethoscopes appear to provide a viable solution for the problem of patient auscultation while wearing protective gear.