scholarly journals (P2-20) Explosion At A Steelwork Plant

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s142-s142
Author(s):  
M. Bortolin ◽  
M. Raviolo ◽  
R. Vacca ◽  
D. Bono
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Management Of Resources ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Disaster Severity ◽  
The City

IntroductionOn the night of 06 December 2007, an explosion occurred at a steelworks plant in the city of Turin. The incident involved 10 people. The emergency medical services (EMS 118 Turin) declared a mass-casualty incident (MCI).ObjectivesThe aim of this case report is to analyze the response of the EMS 118 Turin to the MCI in order to identify problems or short-comings and improve the service for future responses.MethodsInformation from the dispatch center, medical report of the EMS, and hospitals that received the patients were analyzed.ResultsThe emergency call was placed at 01:04 hours, and the MCI was declared closed at 04:40 hours. The disaster, in according to Disaster Severity Scale (DSS), was classified 3. The METHANE message was sent to the dispatch center by the first ambulance 4 minutes after the call. There were 10 patients: seven T1; one T2; and two T3. The dispatch center deployed nine teams, which consisted of five advanced life support (ALS) teams and four basic life support (BLS) teams. All of the casualties were able to walk when they arrived to the medical care. The T1 casualties had burns to > 80% of their body surface area (BSA), the T2 and T1 casualties suffered inhalation of smoke gas. The first casualties were evacuated to the hospital 28 minutes after the call. Four casualties (three T1 and one T3) were transported to the nearest hospital. the other four T1 casualties were transported to four different hospitals of the city. All the T1 casualties died in the next 24 days.ConclusionsThe management of resources during this MCI was suboptimal. The number of ALS teams that responded to the MCI was high considering the number of casualties and the time taken to resolve the incident. The lessons learned from this incident and other cases have permitted the EMS Turin to improve their response plan concerning the use of resources and surge capacity.

Reconsidering Policy of Casualty Evacuation in a Remote Mass-Casualty Incident

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruria Adini ◽  
Robert Cohen ◽  
Elon Glassberg ◽  
Bella Azaria ◽  
Daniel Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Local Hospital ◽  
Trauma Surgeons

AbstractObjectivesInappropriate distribution of casualties in mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) may overwhelm hospitals. This study aimed to review the consequences of evacuating casualties from a bus accident to a single peripheral hospital and lessons learned regarding policy of casualty evacuation.MethodsMedical records of all casualties relating to evacuation times, injury severity, diagnoses, treatments, resources utilized and outcomes were independently reviewed by two senior trauma surgeons. In addition, four senior trauma surgeons reviewed impact of treatment provided on patient outcomes. They reviewed the times for the primary and secondary evacuation, injury severity, diagnoses, surgical treatments, resources utilized, and the final outcomes of the patients at the point of discharge from the tertiary care hospital.ResultsThirty-one survivors were transferred to the closest local hospital; four died en route to hospital or within 30 minutes of arrival. Twenty-seven casualties were evacuated by air from the local hospital within 2.5 to 6.15 hours to Level I and II hospitals. Undertriage of 15% and overtriage of seven percent were noted. Four casualties did not receive treatment that might have improved their condition at the local hospital.ConclusionsIn MCIs occurring in remote areas, policy makers should consider revising the current evacuation plan so that only immediate unstable casualties should be transferred to the closest primary hospital. On site Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be administered to non-severe casualties until they can be evacuated directly to tertiary care hospitals. First responders must be trained to provide ALS to non-severe casualties until evacuation resources are available.AdiniB, CohenR, GlassbergE, AzariaB, SimonD, SteinM, KleinY, PelegK. Reconsidering policy of casualty evacuation in a remote mass-casualty incident. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-5.

Pediatric disaster triage education and skills assessment: A coalition approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Kenningham, MD ◽  
Kathryn Koelemay, MD, MPH ◽  
Mary A. King, MD, MPH
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Life Support ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Washington State ◽  
King County ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Threatening

Objective: This study aims to 1) demonstrate one method of pediatric disaster preparedness education using a regional disaster coalition organized workshop and 2) evaluate factors reflecting the greatest shortfall in pediatric mass casualty incident (MCI) triage skills in a varied population of medical providers in King County,WA.Design: Educational intervention and cross-sectional survey.Setting: Pediatric disaster preparedness conference created de novo and offered by the King County Healthcare Coalition, with didactic sessions and workshops including a scored mock pediatric MCI triage. Participants: Ninety-eight providers from throughout the King County, WA, region selected by their own institutions following invitation to participate, with 88 completing exit surveys.Interventions: Didactic lectures regarding pediatric MCI triage followed by scored exercises.Main outcome measures: Mock triage scores were analyzed and compared according to participant characteristics and workplace environment.Results: A half-day regional pediatric disaster preparedness educational conference convened in September 2011 by the King County Healthcare Coalition in partnership with regional pediatric experts was so effective and well-received that it has been rescheduled yearly (2012 and 2013) and has expanded to three Washington State venues sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health. Emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU) employment and regular exposure to pediatric patients best predicted higher mock pediatric MCI triage scores (ED/ICU 80 percent vs non-ED/ICU 73 percent, p = 0.026; regular pediatric exposure 80 percent vs less exposure 77 percent, p = 0.038, respectively). Pediatric Advanced Life Support training was not found to be associated with improved triage performance, and mock patients whose injuries were not immediately life threatening tended to be over-triaged (observed trend).Conclusions: A regional coalition can effectively organize member hospitals and provide education for focused populations using specialty experts such as pediatricians. Providers working in higher acuity environments and those with regular pediatric patient exposure perform better mock pediatric MCI triage than their counterparts after just-in-time training. Pediatric MCI patients with less than life-threatening injuries tended to be over-triaged.

scholarly journals Prehospital Triage by Lay Person First Responders: A Scoping Review and Proposal for a new Prehospital Triage Tool

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Wesley D Jetten ◽  
Jeroen Seesink ◽  
Markus Klimek
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Life Support ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Healthcare Experience ◽  
Prehospital Triage

Abstract Objective: The primary aim of this study is to review the available tools for prehospital triage in case of mass casualty incidents and secondly, to develop a tool which enables lay person first responders (LPFRs) to perform triage and start basic life support in mass casualty incidents. Methods: In July 2019, online databases were consulted. Studies addressing prehospital triage methods for lay people were analyzed. Secondly, a new prehospital triage tool for LPFRs was developed. Therefore, a search for prehospital triage models available in literature was conducted and triage actions were extracted. Results: The search resulted in 6188 articles, and after screening, a scoping review of 4 articles was conducted. All articles stated that there is great potential to provide accurate prehospital triage by people with no healthcare experience. Based on these findings, and combined with the pre-existing prehospital triage tools, we developed a, not-yet validated, prehospital triage tool for lay people, which may improve disaster awareness and preparedness and might positively contribute to community resilience. Conclusion: The prehospital triage tool for lay person first responders may be useful and may help professional medical first responders to determine faster, which casualties most urgently need help in a mass casualty incident.

Basic-Level Emergency Medical Technician Administration of Fluids and Glucose via Enzyme-Assisted Subcutaneous Infusion Access

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olanrewaju A. Soremekun ◽  
Melissa L. Shear ◽  
Jay Connolly ◽  
Charles E. Stewart ◽  
Stephen H. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Emergency Medical Technician ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Subcutaneous Infusion ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Basic Level ◽  
Medical Technician

AbstractIntroductionDuring disasters and mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), there may be insufficient numbers of advanced life support (ALS) providers to provide intravenous (IV) access to all patients requiring parenteral fluids and/or medications. Enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion (EASI) access, in which human recombinant hyaluronidase (HRH) augments subcutaneous fluid dispersion and absorption, may be useful when ALS resources are insufficient to meet intravascular access needs. The utility of the use of the EASI lies, in part, in its ease of placement by ALS personnel.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to document the feasibility, comfort, and speed/degree of infused-glucose uptake through EASI lines placed by basic-level emergency medical technicians (EMT-Bs).MethodsEighteen EMT-Bs instituted EASI access on each other. A total of 150 units (1 mL) of HRH were administered through the EASI line, followed by the administration of 250 mL of tracer-labeled D5W. Timed phlebotomy enabled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry characterization of glucose uptake. Enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion placement and comfort ratings were tracked and analyzed using non-parametric statistics and Fisher's Exact Test.ResultsIn all 18 subjects, EASI access required only one attempt and was rated by the EMT-Bs as easy to accomplish. Glucose was absorbed quickly (within five minutes) in all subjects. The rate of infusion was rapid (median 393 mL/hour) and was comfortable for the recipients (median pain score 1/10).ConclusionsThe use of EASI may be viable as a fast, simple, and reliable method for the administration of fluid and glucose by EMT-Bs.Soremekun OA, Shear ML, Connolly J, Stewart CE, Thomas SH. Basic-level emergency medical technician administration of fluids and glucose via enzyme-assisted subcutaneous infusion access. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(3):1-6.

scholarly journals Kuala Lumpur train collision during the COVID-19 pandemic

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alzamani M. Idrose ◽  
Fikri M. Abu-Zidan ◽  
Nurul Liana Roslan ◽  
Khairul Izwan M. Hashim ◽  
Saiyidi Mohd Azizi Mohd Adibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Management ◽  
Standard Operating Procedure ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Green Zone

Abstract Background Two city trains collided in an underground tunnel on 24 May 2021 at the height of COVID-19 pandemic near the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, immediately after the evening rush hours. We aim to evaluate the management of this mass casualty incident highlighting the lessons learned to be used in preparedness for similar incidents that may occur in other major cities worldwide. Methods Information regarding incident site and hospital management response were analysed. Data on demography, triaging, injuries and hospital management of patients were collected according to a designed protocol. Challenges, difficulties and their solutions were reported. Results The train's emergency response team (ERT) has shut down train movements towards the incident site. Red zone (in the tunnel), yellow zone (the station platform) and green zone (outside the station entrance) were established. The fire and rescue team arrived and assisted the ERT in the red zone. Incident command system was established at the site. Medical base station was established at the yellow zone. Two hundred and fourteen passengers were in the trains. Sixty-four of them were injured. They had a median (range) ISS of 2 (1–43), and all were sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Six (9.4%) patients were clinically triaged as red (critical), 19 (29.7%) as yellow (semi-critical) and 39 (60.9%) as green (non-critical). HKL's disaster plan was activated. All patients underwent temperature and epidemiology link assessment. Seven (10.9%) patients were admitted to the hospital (3 to the ICU, 3 to the ward and 1 to a private hospital as requested by the patient), while the rest 56 (87.5%) were discharged home. Six (9.4%) needed surgery. The COVID-19 tests were conducted on seven patients (10.9%) and were negative. There were no deaths. Conclusions The mass casualty incident was handled properly because of a clear standard operating procedure, smooth coordination between multi-agencies and the hospitals, presence of a 'binary' system for 'COVID-risk' and 'non-COVID-risk' areas, and the modifications of the existing disaster plan. Preparedness for MCIs is essential during pandemics.

scholarly journals An armed assailant in our hospital: Are we prepared?

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 712-716
Author(s):  
Sohil Pothiawala ◽  
Rabind Charles ◽  
Wai Kein Chow ◽  
Kheng Wee Ang ◽  
Karen Hsien Ling Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Incident Response ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Response Plan

ABSTRACT While armed assailant attacks are rare in the hospital setting, they pose a potential risk to healthcare staff, patients, visitors and the infrastructure. Singapore hospitals have well-developed disaster plans to respond to a mass casualty incident occurring outside the hospital. However, lack of an armed assailant incident response plan can significantly reduce the hospital’s ability to appropriately respond to such an incident. The authors describe various strategies that can be adopted in the development of an armed assailant incident response plan. Regular staff training will increase staff resilience and capability to respond to a potential threat in the future. The aim of this article is to highlight the need for the emergency preparedness units of all hospitals to work together with various stakeholders to develop an armed assailant incident response plan. This will be of great benefit for keeping healthcare facilities safe, both for staff as well as for the community. Keywords: Armed assailant, hospital, preparedness, response, strategies

Leadership as a Component of Crowd Control in a Hospital Dealing with a Mass-Casualty Incident: Lessons Learned from the October 2000 Riots in Nazareth

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 522-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Pinkert ◽  
Yuval Bloch ◽  
Dagan Schwartz ◽  
Isaac Ashkenazi ◽  
Bishara Nakhleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Services ◽  
Hospital Management ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Crowd Control

AbstractIntroduction:Crowd control is essential to the handling of mass-casualty incidents (MCIs).This is the task of the police at the site of the incident. For a hospital, responsibility falls on its security forces, with the police assuming an auxiliary role. Crowd control is difficult, especially when the casualties are due to riots involving clashes between rioters and police. This study uses data regarding the October 2000 riots in Nazareth to draw lessons about the determinants of crowd control on the scene and in hospitals.Methods:Data collected from formal debriefings were processed to identify the specifics of a MCI due to massive riots. The transport of patients to the hospital and the behavior of their families were considered.The actions taken by the Hospital Manager to control crowds on the hospital premises also were analyzed.Results:During 10 days of riots (01–10 October 2000), 160 casualties, including 10 severely wounded, were evacuated to the Nazareth Italian Hospital. The Nazareth English Hospital received 132 injured patients, including one critically wounded, nine severely wounded, 26 moderately injured, and 96 mildly injured. All victims were evacuated from the scene by private vehicles and were accompanied by numerous family members. This obstructed access to hospitals and hampered the care of the casualties in the emergency department. The hospital staff was unable to perform triage at the emergency department's entrance and to assign the wounded to immediate treatment areas or waiting areas. All of the wounded were taken by their families directly into the “immediate care” location where a great effort was made to prioritize the severely injured. In order to control the events, the hospital's managers enlisted prominent individuals within the crowds to aid with control. At one point, the mayor was enlisted to successfully achieve crowd control.Conclusions:During riots, city, community, and even makeshift leaders within a crowd can play a pivotal role in helping hospital management control crowds. It may be advisable to train medical teams and hospital management to recognize potential leaders, and gain their cooperation in such an event. To optimize such cooperation, community leaders also should be acquainted with the roles of public health agencies and emergency services systems.

O-28 Prehospital advanced life support (ALS) demands in the city of Copenhagen

Resuscitation ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. S9 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Bredgaard Sørensen ◽  
S. Høgskilde ◽  
B. Øberg ◽  
H. Reich ◽  
M.E. Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
The City

scholarly journals A Four-Step Approach for Establishment of a National Medical Response to Mega-Terrorism

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Leiba ◽  
Amir Blumenfeld ◽  
Ariel Hourvitz ◽  
Gali Weiss ◽  
Michal Peres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Important Lesson ◽  
National Medical ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Rapid Evacuation

AbstractA simplified, four-step approach was used to establish a medical management and response plan to mega-terrorism in Israel. The basic steps of this approach are: (1) analysis of a scenario based on past incidents; (2) description of relevant capabilities of the medical system; (3) analysis of gaps between the scenario and the expected response; and (4) development of anoperational framework.Analyses of both the scenario and medical abilities led to the recommendation of an evidence-based contingency plan for mega-terrorism. An important lesson learned from the analyses is that a shortage in medical first responders would require the administration of advanced life support (ALS) by paramedics at the scene, along with simultaneous, rapid evacuation of urgent casualties to nearby hospitals by medics practicing basic life support (BLS). Ambulances and helicopters should triage casualties from inner to outer circle hospitals secondarily, preferentially Level-1 trauma centers.In conclusion, this fourstep approach based on scenario analysis, mapping of medical capabilities, detection of bottlenecks, and establishment of a unique operational framework, can help other medical systems develop a response plan to megaterrorist attacks.

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