Reflection on Lessons Learned: An Analysis of the Adverse Outcomes Observed During the Hurricane Rita Evacuation

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Baker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Evacuation ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Us History ◽  
Hurricane Rita ◽  
Evacuation Plans ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Mass Evacuation

AbstractIn September 2005, nearly 3.7 million people evacuated the Texas coastline in advance of Hurricane Rita’s landfall, making the event the largest emergency evacuation in US history. The Rita evacuation underscored the importance of planning for domestic mass-evacuation events, as the evacuation itself led to over 100 of the at least 119 deaths attributed to the storm. In the days preceding Rita’s landfall, several cascading, interrelated circumstances precipitated such adverse outcomes. This article explores the series of events leading up to the evacuation’s poor outcomes, the response following Rita to amend evacuation plans, and how Texas successfully implemented these changes during later storms to achieve better outcomes. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:115–120)

Gaps in Public Health Preparedness: Lessons Learned in California

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Lurie ◽  
Jeffrey Wasserman ◽  
Michael Stoto ◽  
Samuel Myers ◽  
Roger Molander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Preparedness

scholarly journals A Consensus-based Educational Framework and Competency Set for the Discipline of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Italo Subbarao ◽  
James M. Lyznicki ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Kristine M. Gebbie ◽  
David Markenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
System Response ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Educational Framework ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACTBackground: Various organizations and universities have developed competencies for health professionals and other emergency responders. Little effort has been devoted to the integration of these competencies across health specialties and professions. The American Medical Association Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response convened an expert working group (EWG) to review extant competencies and achieve consensus on an educational framework and competency set from which educators could devise learning objectives and curricula tailored to fit the needs of all health professionals in a disaster.Methods: The EWG conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and non–peer reviewed published literature. In addition, after-action reports from Hurricane Katrina and relevant publications recommended by EWG members and other subject matter experts were reviewed for congruencies and gaps. Consensus was ensured through a 3-stage Delphi process.Results: The EWG process developed a new educational framework for disaster medicine and public health preparedness based on consensus identification of 7 core learning domains, 19 core competencies, and 73 specific competencies targeted at 3 broad health personnel categories.Conclusions: The competencies can be applied to a wide range of health professionals who are expected to perform at different levels (informed worker/student, practitioner, leader) according to experience, professional role, level of education, or job function. Although these competencies strongly reflect lessons learned following the health system response to Hurricane Katrina, it must be understood that preparedness is a process, and that these competencies must be reviewed continually and refined over time. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:57–68)

Hubris: The Recurring Pandemic

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Koch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Epidemic Disease ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Perfect Storm

AbstractThe 2014 Ebola outbreak has been seen by many as a “perfect storm” and an “unprecedented” public health calamity. This article attempts to place this most current of epidemics, one currently struggling for pandemic status, in an historical frame. At least since the 1600s protocols and programs for the containment of epidemic disease have been known, and mapped. And yet it was almost six months after warnings about this epidemic were first sounded that incomplete programs of control and surveillance were instituted. In effect, we have forgotten the basics of what was once common knowledge in public health. Having placed our faith in bacteriology, virology, and pharmacology, we have forgotten the lessons learned, long ago. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-6)

scholarly journals Insights Into the First Seven-months of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: Lessons Learned from a High-risk Country

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Hasanul Banna Siam ◽  
Md.Mahbub Hasan ◽  
Shazed Mohammad Tashrif ◽  
Md. Hasinur Rahaman Khan ◽  
Enayetur Raheem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
Johns Hopkins University

Abstract BackgroundSouth Asian countries including Bangladesh have been struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic despite imposing months of lockdown and other public health measures. In-depth epidemiological information from these countries is lacking. From the perspective of Bangladesh, this study aims at understanding the epidemiological features and gaps in public health preparedness and risk communication. MethodsThe study used publicly available data of seven months (8 March 2020–10 September 2020) from the respective health departments of Bangladesh and Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre. Human mobility data were obtained from Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. Spatial distribution maps were created using ArcGIS Desktop. Descriptive statistics was used to report the incidence, case fatality rates (CFR), and trend analysis. Results Despite nationwide lockdown, an increase in human mobility linked to specific public events was observed. During this period, a total of 47,153 cases and 650 deaths were reported. As lockdown ended, the incidence rate was increased by around 50% within a week. In seven months, about 350,000 cases were identified with a CFR of 1.4%. Males were disproportionately affected in terms of infection (71%) and death (77%) than females. The CFR for males was higher than females (1.4% versus 1.11%). Over 50% of infected cases were reported among young adults (20-40-year age group). Trends of the cumulative incidence were slower in South Asia with lower mortality compared to the EU and USA. As of 10 September 2020, over 20,000 frontline health workers were affected, and more than 2100 unofficial deaths were reported. Reduced testing capacity was observed as compared to other countries. Although a downward trend in laboratory test positive percentage was seen, the number of new deaths per day remained largely unchanged. ConclusionWe identified critical gaps in public health preparedness and risk communication in battling COVID-19 pandemic. We believe our findings, observations and recommendations will function as a valuable resource to facilitate better public health decisions for managing current and future infectious disease like COVID-19 in the settings of developing countries.

scholarly journals Insights into the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: Lessons learned from a high-risk country

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Hasanul Banna Siam ◽  
Md Mahbub Hasan ◽  
Enayetur Raheem ◽  
Md. Hasinur rahaman Khan ◽  
Mahbubul H Siddiqee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
Johns Hopkins University ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
Epidemiological Information ◽  
The Eu

Background South Asian countries including Bangladesh have been struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic despite imposing months of lockdown and other public health measures (as of June 30, 2020). In-depth epidemiological information from these countries is lacking. From the perspective of Bangladesh, this study aims to understand the epidemiological features and gaps in public health preparedness. Method This study used publicly available data (8 March-30 June 2020) from the respective health departments of Bangladesh and Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre. Descriptive statistics was used to report the incidence, case fatality rates (CFR), and trend analysis. Spatial distribution maps were created using ArcGIS Desktop. Infection dynamics were analyzed via SIR models. Findings In 66 days of nationwide lockdown and other public health efforts, a total of 47,153 cases and 650 deaths were reported. However, the incidence was increased by around 50% within a week after relaxing the lockdown. Males were disproportionately affected in terms of infections (71%) and deaths (77%) than females. The CFR for males was higher than females (1.38% vs 1.01%). Over 50% of infected cases were reported among young adults (20-40-year age group). Geospatial analysis between 7 June 2020 and 20 June 2020 showed that the incidences increased 4 to 10-fold in 12 administrative districts while it decreased in the epicenter. As compared to the EU and USA, trends of the cumulative incidence were slower in South Asia with lower mortality. Conclusion Our findings on gaps in public health preparedness and epidemiological characteristics would contribute to facilitating better public health decisions for managing current and future pandemics like COVID-19 in the settings of developing countries.

scholarly journals University Hospital Struck Deaf and Silent by Lightning: Lessons to Learn

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Dami ◽  
Pierre-Nicolas Carron ◽  
Bertrand Yersin ◽  
Olivier Hugli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Electromagnetic Wave ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Lightning Strike ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
The Way

AbstractWe describe how an electromagnetic wave after a lightning strike affected a university hospital, including the communication shutdown that followed, the way it was handled, and the lessons learned from this incident. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:440–443)

Safety of Electro-Medical Equipment in Floods in Austere Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-805
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Khan ◽  
Ahsin M. Bhatti ◽  
Faisal Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
District Level ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Expensive Equipment ◽  
Austere Environment ◽  
Adequate Surgery ◽  
Level Hospital ◽  
North Western

AbstractPakistan is prone to floods. In 2010, floods in North-Western Pakistan caused devastation in wide areas. Electro-medical equipment is very expensive and without proper equipment adequate surgery is not possible. We retrospectively analyzed how expensive electro-medical equipment got damaged during floods of 2010 at a district-level hospital in North-Western Pakistan and how we could have saved this equipment or reduced the damage to the minimum. The article provides the lessons learned and recommendations aimed to prevent or minimize damage to the valuable and expensive equipment in the areas prone to floods. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:803-805)

scholarly journals The 6 E Framework of Public Health Preparedness for Mass Gatherings—Lessons Learned From Super Bowl LIII, Fulton County, Georgia, 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil C. Murthy ◽  
David P. Holland ◽  
Allison T. Chamberlain ◽  
Sasha Smith ◽  
John Callahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Super Bowl ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Mass Gatherings

Dealing with COVID-19: lessons learned from the Italian experience

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Mirella Aliberti ◽  
Francesco De Caro ◽  
Giovanni Boccia ◽  
Rosario Caruso ◽  
Mario Capunzo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coherent System ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Italian Experience ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Future Plans

: Italy was the first western nation affected by the pandemic and was observed as a pilot case in the management of the new coronavirus epidemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 disease has been very difficult in Italy, on June 25, 2020 there are 239,821 total cases of which 33,592 deaths nationwide. Three lessons emerged from this experience that can serve as a blueprint to improve future plans for the outbreak of viruses. First, early reports on the spread of COVID-19 can help inform public health officials and medical practitioners in effort to combat its progression; second, inadequate risk assessment related to the urgency of the situation and limited reporting to the virus has led the rapid spread of COVID-19; third, an effective response to the virus had to be undertaken with coherent system of actions and simultaneously.

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