American journal of disaster medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of different types of hazardous material respirators available to anesthesiologists.
Despite anesthesiology personnel involvement in initial treatment of patients exposed to potentially lethal agents, less than 40 percent of US anesthesiology training programs conduct training to manage these patients.(1) No previous studies have evaluated performance of anesthesiologists wearing protective gear. The authors compared the performance of anesthesiologists intubating a high-fidelity mannequin while wearing either a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) or a negative pressure respirator (NPR). ⋯ The use of an NPR or PAPR does not preclude an anesthesiologist from successfully intubating, but practice is necessary. The slightly better performance with the NPR is weighed against the improved comfort of the PAPR and the fact that PAPR users could wear eyeglasses. Neither type of gear allowed the users to auscultate the lung fields to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement.
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Little work has been devoted to the links between natural disasters, subsequent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network utilization, triage, and public awareness. The aim of this study was to investigate the types and distribution of emergency calls recorded after each South Florida hurricane during the 2005 season, identifying target areas for public health education, and emergency personnel use and training. ⋯ This study suggests that 911 calls regarding respiratory complaints, convulsions, seizures, and hazardous situations can be expected to significantly increase after a hurricane. Educational initiatives, EMS resource allocation, and modified triage systems designed to target these areas may limit EMS system-wide strain and improve health outcomes following natural disasters.
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A core priority of all medical specialties includes information for members regarding inherent priorities and principles. The authors sought to investigate the priority and contribution of various medical specialties to the fields of bioterrorism, terrorism, disaster preparedness, and emergency preparedness. ⋯ Bioterrorism/terrorism and disaster/ emergency preparedness are priority topics of most medical specialties. This core priority is demonstrated by both the medical specialty resources in addition to the contribution of scientific articles from these medical specialties. This reflects the diverse medical care that is necessary for terrorist threats and the collaborative efforts that will help to make the medical response to these threats more cohesive.
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Little is known about the capacity and activity of emergency medical services (EMS) during large-scale disasters. This article provides a case study of the role of EMS in one large urban city during a major hurricane. ⋯ A strategy for managing surges in prehospital care from major disasters is a requirement for modern EMS.
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In a joint military/civilian exercise conducted in June 2010, military National Guard medical and decontamination response efforts proved to be paramount in supporting hospital resources to sustain an adequate response during a simulated terrorist event. Traditionally, hospitals include local responders in their disaster preparedness but overlook other available state and federal resources such as the National Guard. Lessons learned from the exercise included the value of regular joint disaster planning and training between the military and civilian medical sectors. ⋯ Involving the National Guard in community disaster planning provides a valuable medical support asset that can be critical in responding to multiple casualty events. National Guard response is inherently faster than its federal counterpart. Based on the findings from our joint exercise, states are encouraged to incorporate their corresponding National Guard in civilian critical medical infrastructure disaster preparedness activities, as the National Guard can be an integral part of the disaster response efforts in real multiple casualty events.