scholarly journals Precision Augmentation of Medical Surge Capacity for Disaster Response

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weifeng Shen ◽  
Libing Jiang ◽  
Xiaojun He
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
The World ◽  
Disaster Situation ◽  
Serious Injuries ◽  
Internal Capacity

Background. In recent years, serious injuries associated with extreme climate, earthquakes, terrorism, and other natural and man-made disasters have occurred frequently throughout the world. A surge in medical demand that extends beyond local medical surge capacity in mass casualty incidents following major disasters is common. Materials and Methods. We reviewed and analyzed emergency medical rescue efforts after major disasters in recent years to elaborate the precision strategy of augmenting medical surge capacity for disaster response. Results. Precision augmentation of medical surge capacity for disaster response can be achieved through several measures. These include (1) release of internal capacity through precision launching or through upgrading the levels of response, (2) precision support for medical surge capacity from external efforts, (3) centralized response, and (4) altering standards of care. We should adopt precision augmentation of medical surge capacity according to the specific situation. Conclusions. Augmentation of medical surge capacity as a basic strategy can be used to achieve effective disaster response. In disaster response, due to the complexity of disaster medical capacity amplification, it is important to select the appropriate medical capacity strategy accurately according to the actual disaster situation.

scholarly journals Code Orange: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Disaster Response

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s69-s70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa B. Korman ◽  
Lauren Goldberg ◽  
Cailtin Klein ◽  
Marjan Khanjani ◽  
Gemma Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Mass Trauma ◽  
Disaster Situation

Introduction:Survivors of mass casualty incidents are vulnerable to both physical and psychological injuries. Hospitals need to triage the walking wounded victims, their loved ones, and witnesses for symptoms of emotional distress to ensure that those who are traumatized benefit from proactive psychological treatment. Hospitals must also manage the influx of searching family and friends, and be able to reunite them with their loved ones, to reduce chaos and prevent hospital skipping.Aim:To analyze previous research on institutional psychosocial disaster response, what has or has not worked, and lessons learned in order to develop evidence-based future planning suggestions.Methods:A literature search was conducted on the following electronic databases: (Medline 2007 to July 2018), (Embase 2007 to July 2018), (PsycInfo 2007 to July 2018). A combination of subject headings and free text keywords were used to perform the searches. After removing duplicates, abstracts were screened independently by two reviewers for the following inclusion criteria: 1) crisis intervention (in a disaster situation), 2) mention of psychosocial response or lack thereof and lessons learned, 3)relevant outcomes, 4) OECD countries, and 5) journal articles published 2007–Present. Review articles were excluded. Primary and secondary reviewers are in the process of discussing discrepancies. Data extraction will be conducted from all articles that meet the inclusion criteria. Key themes to be analyzed include psychological casualties, searching family and friends, and family reunification plans.Results:The initial search yielded 6,267 results. 5,294 articles remained after duplicates were removed. Of the 4,890 reviewed thus far, 269 articles met inclusion criteria.Discussion:Although a wealth of existing literature notes the need for an effective psychosocial response in mass trauma and disaster situations, no prior study has analyzed the efficacy of such interventions or laid out an evidence-based plan. This study will fill this much-needed gap in the literature.

scholarly journals Real-Time Monitoring Electronic Triage Tag System for Improving Survival Rate in Disaster-Induced Mass Casualty Incidents

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Ju Young Park
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Vital Sign ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Prehospital Triage ◽  
Rapid Prototyping Model

This study was conducted to contribute to active disaster response by developing internet of things (IoT)-based vital sign monitoring e-triage tag system to improve the survival rate at disaster mass casualty incidents fields. The model used in this study for developing the e-triage tag system is the rapid prototyping model (RAD). The process comprised six steps: analysis, design, development, evaluation, implementation, and simulation. As a result of detailed assessment of the system design and development by an expert group, areas with the highest score in the triage sensor evaluation were rated “very good”, with 5 points for continuous vital sign data delivery, portability, and robustness. In addition, ease of use, wearability, and electricity consumption were rated 4.8, 4.7, and 4.6 points, respectively. In the triage application evaluation, the speed and utility scored a perfect 5 points, and the reliability and expressiveness were rated 4.9 points and 4.8 points, respectively. This study will contribute significantly to increasing the survival rate via the development of a conceptual prehospital triage for field applications and e-triage tag system implementation.

scholarly journals Training Emergency Department Charge Nurses Through Tabletop Exercises

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s19-s19
Author(s):  
Beth Weeks
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Charge Nurses ◽  
Incident Command

Introduction:In a disaster or mass casualty incident, the Emergency Department (ED) charge nurse is thrust into an expanded leadership role, expected to not only manage the department but also organize a disaster response. Hospital emergency preparedness training programs typically focus on high-level leadership, while frontline decision-making staff get experience only through online training and infrequent full-scale exercises. Financial and time limitations of full-scale exercises have been identified as major barriers to frontline training.Aim:To discuss a cost-effective approach to training ED charge nurses and informal leaders in disaster response.Methods:A formal training program was implemented in the ED. All permanent and relief charge nurses are required to attend one four-hour Hospital ICS course within their first year in their position, as well as participate in a minimum of one two-hour ED-based tabletop exercise per year. The tabletop exercises are offered bimonthly, covering various mass casualty scenarios such as apartment complex fires, riots, and a tornado strike. Full-scale exercises involving the ED occur annually.Results:ED permanent and relief charge nurses expressed increased skills and knowledge in areas such as initiation of disaster processes, implementation of hospital incident command, and familiarization with protocols and available resources. Furthermore, ED charge nurses have demonstrated strong leadership, decision-making, and improved response to actual mass casualty incidents since implementing ICS training and tabletop exercises.Discussion:Limitations of relying on full-scale disaster exercises to provide experience to frontline leaders can be overcome by the inclusion of ICS training and tabletop exercises for ED charge nurses in a hospital training and exercise plan. Implementing a structured training program for ED charge nurses focusing on leadership in mass casualty incidents is one step to building a more resilient and prepared ED, hospital, and community.

Developing a Hospital Disaster Preparedness Plan for Mass Casualty Incidents: Lessons Learned From the Downtown Beirut Bombing

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen El Sayed ◽  
Ali F. Chami ◽  
Eveline Hitti
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Response System ◽  
General Response

AbstractMass casualty incidents (MCIs) are becoming more frequent worldwide, especially in the Middle East where violence in Syria has spilled over to many neighboring countries. Lebanon lacks a coordinated prehospital response system to deal with MCIs; therefore, hospital preparedness plans are essential to deal with the surge of casualties. This report describes our experience in dealing with an MCI involving a car bomb in an urban area of downtown Beirut, Lebanon. It uses general response principles to propose a simplified response model for hospitals to use during MCIs. A summary of the debriefings following the event was developed and an analysis was performed with the aim of modifying our hospital’s existing disaster preparedness plan. Casualties’ arrival to our emergency department (ED), the performance of our hospital staff during the event, communication, and the coordination of resources, in addition to the response of the different departments, were examined. In dealing with MCIs, hospital plans should focus on triage area, patient registration and tracking, communication, resource coordination, essential staff functions, as well as on security issues and crowd control. Hospitals in other countries that lack a coordinated prehospital disaster response system can use the principles described here to improve their hospital’s resilience and response to MCIs. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 379–385)

Children’s Health Care in Mass-Casualty Incidents: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Victor S.L.P. Costa ◽  
Giovanna M. Stéfani ◽  
Helio A. Ferenhof ◽  
Fabiana S. Lima ◽  
Maíra Cola
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Children’S Health Care

Abstract Objectives: Considering the pediatric peculiarities and the difficulty of assisting this population in mass-casualty situations, this study aims to identify the main topics regarding children’s health care in mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) that are discussed in the Emergency Medicine area. Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the recommendations of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered with the PROSPERO database of systematic reviews with the number CRD42021229552. The last update of the search in the databases was on May 27, 2021 and resulted in 45 documents to be analyzed. The inclusion criteria included the peer-reviewed academic papers in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian languages; the databases used were PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE/Bireme (Virtual Library of Health - VLH), and Web of Science, which execute the query on the topic, keywords, or abstracts. Also, to be included, documents that were available with full-text access through CAPES, Google, or Google Scholar. Books, non-academic research, and content in languages other than the presented ones were represented as exclusion criteria. Results: From the resulting papers, 21 articles served as the basis for this analysis. Revealed were the year of publication, the first author’s institution nationality, topic, and disaster management phase for each study, which allow other researchers to understand the main topics regarding children’s health care in MCIs. Conclusions: The topics regarding child’s health care in MCIs found in the primary studies of this review, in order of frequency, were: Disaster Response (including the following sub-topics: simulation, education, quality of care, use of technological tools, and damage analysis); Triage; and Disaster Planning. The Emergency Medicine operation was focused on harm reduction after the occurrence of an MCI. Further studies focusing on the pre-disaster and post-disaster phases are needed.

scholarly journals Swedish emergency hospital surgical surge capacity to mass casualty incidents

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Blimark ◽  
Per Örtenwall ◽  
Hans Lönroth ◽  
Peter Mattsson ◽  
Kenneth D. Boffard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Surgical Trauma ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Healthcare Budget ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
Trauma Teams

Abstract Background In Sweden the surgical surge capacity for mass casualty incidents (MCI) is managed by county councils within their dedicated budget. It is unclear whether healthcare budget constraints have affected the regional MCI preparedness. This study was designed to investigate the current surgical MCI preparedness at Swedish emergency hospitals. Methods Surveys were distributed in 2015 to department heads of intensive care units (ICU) and surgery at 54 Swedish emergency hospitals. The survey contained quantitative measures as the number of (1) surgical trauma teams in hospital and available after activating the disaster plan, (2) surgical theatres suitable for multi-trauma care, and (3) surgical ICU beds. The survey was also distributed to the Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine. Results 53 hospitals responded to the survey (98%). Included were 10 university hospitals (19%), 42 county hospitals (79%), and 1 private hospital (2%). Within 8 h the surgical capacity could be increased from 105 to 399 surgical teams, while 433 surgical theatres and 480 ICU beds were made available. The surgical surge capacity differed between university hospitals and county hospitals, and regional differences were identified regarding the availability of surgical theatres and ICU beds. Conclusions The MCI preparedness of Swedish emergency care hospitals needs further attention. To improve Swedish surgical MCI preparedness a national strategy for trauma care in disaster management is necessary.

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