Evaluation of Emergency Medical Team Coordination Following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yosuke Takada ◽  
Yasuhiro Otomo ◽  
Khem Bahadur Karki
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Team Coordination ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Nepal Earthquake ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACT Objectives: After the Nepal earthquake in 2015, for the first time, the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) was activated. This study aims to evaluate the emergency medical team (EMT) coordination in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake in 2015. Methods: This is a retrospective study that (a) describes the coordination process in Nepal, and (b) reviews and analyzes the EMT database in Nepal to classify the EMTs based on the World Health Organization (WHO) EMT classification, an online survey for EMT coordination, and the Geographic Information System-analyzed EMT distribution. Results: We recorded 150 EMTs, which included 29 Type 1-Mobile, 71 Type 1-Fixed, 22 Type 2, 1 Type 3, and 27 specialist cell recorded EMTs including the military team. The EMTs were allocated based on the number of casualties in that area. The Type 1 EMTs were deployed around Type 2 EMTs. Conclusions: The EMT Classification is useful for the effective posting of EMTs. However, the method of onsite multi registration has room for improvement. The WHO should provide an opportunity for EMTCC training for better coordination of disasters.

Team Rubicon Medical Response to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1086-1089
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Bouland ◽  
Jordan Selzer ◽  
Madi Yogman ◽  
David W. Callaway
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Medical Clinics ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACTOn September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a category 5 hurricane on Great Abaco Island, Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian matched the “Labor Day” hurricane of 1935 as the strongest recorded Atlantic hurricane to make landfall with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles/h.1 At the request of the Government of the Bahamas, Team Rubicon activated a World Health Organization Type 1 Mobile Emergency Medical Team and responded to Great Abaco Island. The team provided medical care and reconnaissance of medical clinics on the island and surrounding cays…

Enhancing Military Field Hospitals: World Health Organization Emergency Medical Team Verification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Licina ◽  
Brian DeHaai ◽  
Andrea Slattery
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT Despite the significant investment in the U.S. and partner nation military field hospital capability, the DoD has not pursued WHO Emergency Medical Team verification. Doing so would reinforce the DoD as an international leader, uphold the DoD as a partner of choice for response when requested, and enable the DoD to assist other nations in achieving the same.

scholarly journals Preparing for Disaster: Behind the Scenes of Maintaining and Deploying an Emergency Medical Team…Equipped. Prepared. Ready.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s159-s160
Author(s):  
Matthew Schobben ◽  
Inda Acharya ◽  
Dinorah Caeiro Alves ◽  
Juno Eadie ◽  
Melanie Morrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
International Standards ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Operational Activities ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction:Deploying an EMT to respond to a sudden onset disaster entails significant operational activities and support back home to deploy and support a responding team. These activities also include peacetime operations, exercising, innovation, engagement, training, and development of both team members and operational staff to further knowledge and experience.Aim:To exhibit the operational activities and complexities of maintaining a deployable cache of equipment and consumables for deploying a self-sustaining Emergency Medical Team (EMT). This includes the elements of managing a high-performance team, human resource management ensuring the readiness of personnel to rapidly respond, maintaining World Health Organization (WHO) international standards for EMTs, and the operational aspects and support behind the scenes to deploy a team.Methods:Analysis of operational activities and support for pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment phases including preparedness through innovation, collaboration, development, and maintenance of a high-performance team and cache.Results:The analysis of operational activities behind the scenes of deploying EMT maps the unique complexities of maintaining and deploying a high-performance team at all stages of deployment, demonstrating the success of a team in the field is attributed to the support and activities of the team back home to deploy them.Discussion:There is substantial preparation and behind the scenes operational activities that are undertaken to deploy and support a deployed EMT. Lessons learned from each deployment build on the operational capacity of staff deploying a team and on the future directions, innovations, and practices of a deployed team in the field.

scholarly journals Immunization Readiness of a Deploying Emergency Medical Team

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s137-s138
Author(s):  
Melanie Morrow ◽  
Hollie Sekulich ◽  
Abigail Trewin ◽  
Peter Archer
Keyword(s):  
Electronic System ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Immunization Status ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction:It is a requirement for a World Health Organization verified Emergency Medical Team (EMT) that all members be immunized against common diseases in the deploying region. Most jurisdictions use private suppliers such as travel doctors for immunization services. When a deployment is announced, members are nominated by their jurisdiction under the condition they are fully immunized. It is up to the individual to monitor their immunization status.Aim:To determine how many members nominated for deployment were fully immunized.Methods:Nominated members sent their completed vaccination record to a central location for assessment of their immunization status. The following data were recorded: vaccination status, last-minute booster doses required, and the number of emails sent by the assessor in processing the records. The number of phone calls made and received were not recorded.Results:To complete the skills matrix for a field hospital containing an emergency department and operating theater (an EMT type 2), 61 members were nominated. At the time of assessment, 32 (52%) were fully immunized, requiring no further booster doses (vaccinations or serology tests). Three members were removed from the deployment as they were not fully immunized. Last-minute booster doses were required by 27 (44%) members, with a total of 74 booster doses administered (range 0-5). 19 of the booster doses administered were immunizations required to work in any health facility in Australia. The most common vaccines requiring booster doses were rabies (n=21) and typhoid (n=15). 58 emails were sent over a period of 5 days to 24 members to clarify vaccination status.Discussion:This deployment highlighted a gap in members’ perception of their immunization status, leading to delays in deployment readiness for the team. A new electronic system where vaccine status tracking occurs in real time should address this issue.

scholarly journals The Evaluation of the World Health Organization’s Minimum Dataset in Disaster Health Management in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s25-s25
Author(s):  
Sansana Limpaporn ◽  
Phumin Silapunt ◽  
Prasit Wuthisuthimethawee
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Asean Member ◽  
Regional Collaboration ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
The World

Introduction:The Minimum Data Set (MDS) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been widely used among medical practitioners in International Emergency Medical Team (I-EMT) as tools to collect health information and statistics in disaster health management. The I-EMT submits MDS to the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) for the planning of responses. The Project for Strengthening the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Capacity on Disaster Health Management (ARCH Project) is the ASEAN’s project that has applied MDS to its activities with the main purpose of strengthening informational management during a disaster.Aim:The study aims to evaluate the performance of MDS after being utilized in the Regional Collaboration Drill (RCD) organized by the ARCH Project in July 2017.Methods:The performance of MDS has been evaluated by ten International Emergency Medical Team (I-EMT) of ASEAN Member States who participated in the RCD.Results:The assessment forms were returned by ten I-EMTs, and all respondents addressed several points for the revision of MDS (10/10), including the format and the content of the MDS. Concerning the format, respondents stated that the fonts are too small (3/10), and spaces for recording additional information are needed (3/10). On the other hand, the majority of respondents suggested that some of the contents within the MDS are still unclear or some terminologies are needed to be further clarified (6/10), especially with the referral form (5/10).Discussion:The current version of the MDS utilized for the EMT coordination should be edited and revised for its optimal usage. Applying MDS to disaster simulation is an efficient approach to test its application.

Understanding Diabetes Mellitus

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Phillips ◽  
Roger Gadsby
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Health Organization

The aim of this chapter is to provide nurses with the knowledge to be able to assess, manage, and care for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in an evidence-based and person-centred way. Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition that can affect people of all ages; consequently, people with diabetes mellitus can be found in every healthcare environment, from hospitals to care homes. The chapter will provide a comprehensive overview of the classifications, causes, and risk factors of diabetes. The key principles of patient assessment are established, before exploring best practice to deliver care, prevent acute complications, and minimize long-term complications. Nursing assessments and priorities are highlighted throughout, and the nursing management of the symptoms and common health problems associated with diabetes can be found in Chapters 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, and 28, respectively. Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic conditions with hyperglycaemia occurring as the main feature. It is characterized by chronic increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), with disturbance of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, which results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (World Health Organization (WHO), 1999). The hormone insulin, produced by the beta cells in the pancreas, controls blood glucose levels, keeping them within a narrow range in normal health (4–6 mmol/l before food). When blood glucose levels rise (for example, after a meal containing carbohydrates has been consumed), glucose enters the beta cells, eventually resulting in the release of insulin into the portal circulation. The classifications of diabetes mellitus (World Health Organization, 2006) are as follows….● Type 1 diabetes mellitus, previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) ● Type 2 diabetes mellitus, previously known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) ● Gestational diabetes mellitus ● Others, such as disorders affecting the pancreas, and endocrine conditions…The features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are outlined in Table 9.1. Gestational diabetes is carbohydrate intolerance, resulting in hyperglycaemia with onset or recognition during pregnancy (World Health Organization, 2006). However, the condition may have been present prior to pregnancy, but not been diagnosed. Diabetes mellitus may occur for other reasons, including genetic defects and diseases affecting the pancreas.

scholarly journals Surge Capacity Planning to Inform the Need for International and Domestic Emergency Medical Team Deployments Following a Severe Wellington, New Zealand Earthquake

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s6-s6
Author(s):  
Charles Blanch ◽  
Emma Lawrey
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Planning Methodology

Introduction:Wellington, New Zealand has a significant earthquake risk with unique response challenges posed by its geography and limited road, rail, and sea access. In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Medical Team (EMT) initiative published minimum and technical standards for EMTs in response to failures by responding teams to deliver appropriate and ethical clinical care during a number of disasters (Norton, 2014). The initiative has evolved to develop national and International EMTs in addition to a support capacity building within Ministries of Health to better coordinate clinical capacity during an emergency.Aim:Over the last two years, the WHO EMT Coordination Cell (EMTCC) course has trained over 300 health personnel globally to coordinate clinical surge capacity using a three-step Impact Assessment, Needs Assessment, and Tasking process informed by disaster epidemiology and mass casualty ratios.Methods:EMTCC planning methodology was applied to the “Wellington Earthquake National Initial Response Plan” (MCDEM, 2017) to develop a Health Action Plan for a significant Wellington earthquake. Known earthquake impact modeling for injuries was applied against predicted capacity in receiving hospitals in the affected region, and the ability to transfer patients nationally to determine unmet response needs. EMT minimum standards and operational insights from recent disasters were then used to determine the number of EMTs required for optimal tasking.Discussion:The surge planning methodology provided a theoretical framework for national and local health emergency management staff to engage with clinical colleagues. This allowed likely EMT assistance to be pre-planned, which facilitates further planning with national and local emergency management, border, and registration agencies for rapid entry into NZ, including onward transport and logistical support. While injury treatment ratios had to be refined to reflect NZ context, the methodology proved useful for Ministries of Health to pre-identify the need for international assistance in national emergencies.

scholarly journals A Pilot of a UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Medical Record During a Deployment Training Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisa J.N. Jafar ◽  
Rachel J. Fletcher ◽  
Fiona Lecky ◽  
Anthony D. Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Medical Record ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Data Capture ◽  
World Health ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Emergency Medical Team ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Emergency Medical

AbstractIntroductionImproving medical record keeping is a key part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s; Geneva, Switzerland) drive to standardize and evaluate emergency medical team (EMT) response to sudden onset disasters (SODs).ProblemIn response to the WHO initiative, the UK EMT is redeveloping its medical record template in line with the WHO minimum dataset (MDS) for daily reporting. When changing a medical record, it is important to understand how well it functions before it is implemented.MethodsThe redeveloped medical record was piloted at a UK EMT deployment course using simulated patients in order to examine ease of use by practitioners, and rates of data capture for key MDS variables.ResultsSome parts of the form were consistently poorly filled in, and the way in which the form was completed suggested that the flow of the form did not align with the recorder’s natural thought processes when under pressure.Conclusion:Piloting of a single-sheet triplicate medical record during an EMT deployment simulation led to significant modifications to improve data capture and function.Jafar AJN, Fletcher RJ, Lecky F, Redmond AD. A pilot of a UK emergency medical team (EMT) medical record during a deployment training course. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):441–447.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Taiwan: An Facebook Online study on Concern/Fear Regarding the Disease and General Anxiety and Relevant Factors (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng-Wei Wang ◽  
Wei-Hsin Lu ◽  
Yi-Lung Chen ◽  
Dian-Jeng Li ◽  
Yu-Ping Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
World Health ◽  
Regional Government ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a ‘public health emergency of international concern. Both worry and anxiety are the common psychological impact during the pandemic. The level of and determinants for worry and anxiety during COVID-19 are not well explored. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to explore the associations of demographic and environmental factors with worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety among people in Taiwan. METHODS In total, 1970 respondents were recruited through a Facebook advertisement and completed an online survey on worry toward COVID-19, general anxiety during the pandemic, and individual and environmental factors. RESULTS In total, 51.7% and 43.4% of respondents reported high levels of worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety, respectively. Worse self-rated mental health, lower self-confidence in COVID-19 management, and insufficient mental health resources were significantly associated with high levels of both worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety. Lower perceived confidence in COVID-19 management by the regional government was significantly associated with a higher level of worry toward COVID-19. Lower perceived social support was significantly associated with a higher level of general anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that high levels of worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety were prevalent during the disease outbreak. Multiple individual and environmental factors related to worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety were identified. CLINICALTRIAL

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document