scholarly journals Methanol poisoning in South-South Nigeria: Reflections on the outbreak response

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnanna Onyekwere ◽  
Ifeoma Nwadiuto ◽  
Sylvester Maleghemi ◽  
Omosivie Maduka ◽  
Tamuno-Wari Numbere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Methanol Poisoning ◽  
Trace Back ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response ◽  
Rivers State

The methanol poisoning outbreak in Rivers State, Nigeria in May 2015, involved 84 persons in five local government areas. An incident management system comprised of an Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) committee and the Local Government Area Rapid Response Teams in an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The EOC teams conducted case finding activities, line listing, and descriptive analysis, a retrospective cohort study and collection of local gin samples for laboratory investigation. They also coordinated community mobilization and sensitization activities, intervention meetings with local gin sellers, trace back activities and case management. Those affected were male (72; 85.7%) aged between 20 and 79 years. Of the 55 persons whose socio-demographics were obtained, forty-one persons (74.6%) were married, and 23 (41.8%) had primary education. Case fatality rate was 83.3% with an attack rate of 16 per 100,000 persons. Those exposed to ingestion of adulterated gin were six times more likely to develop methanol poisoning than those not exposed RR=6 (1.0-38.5); P=0.0078. It is hoped that this experience has positioned the state for better preparedness towards future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Progress in the Development of the Standardized Public Health Emergency Preparedness Terminology

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay Lipskiy ◽  
James Tyson ◽  
Shauna Mettee Zarecki ◽  
Jacqueline Burkholder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Semantic Interoperability ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Emergency Operations ◽  
Support Organizations ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response

ObjectiveThe purpose of this project is to demonstrate the progress in development of a standardized public health (PH) emergency preparedness and response data ontology (terminology) through collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Emergency Operations (DEO), and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) system.IntroductionThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Incident Management System (NIMS) establishes a common framework and common terminology that allows diverse incident management and support organizations to work together across a wide variety of functions and hazard scenarios1. Using common terminology helps avoid confusion and enhances interoperability, particularly in fast-moving public health (PH) emergency responses. In addition, common terminology allows diverse incident management and support organizations to work together across a wide variety of functions and scenarios1. LOINC is one of a suite of designated standards for the electronic exchange of public health and clinical information. Implementation of LOINC facilitates improvement of semantic interoperability, including unified terminology2. More than 68,100 registered users from 172 countries use LOINC to move interoperable data seamlessly between systems3. The CDC Division of Emergency Operations (DEO) leads development of standardized PH emergency preparedness and response terminology to improve effective and interoperable communications between national and international partners. Realizing the scale of LOINC support and implementation across the global public health arena, CDC DEO collaborates with LOINC to further enhance and harmonize the current PH emergency response terminology and to attain critical PH emergency management and preparedness and response requirements.MethodsDEO analyzed 87,863 LOINC terms that were included in LOINC version 2.64, released on 06/15/20183. Access to this LOINC version was obtained through the Regenstrief LOINC Mapping Assistant (RELMA). RELMA is a Windows-based LOINC utility developed by the Regenstrief Institute (Indiapolis, USA) for searching the LOINC database and mapping local codes to LOINC codes4. The relevance of LOINC terminology to PH emergency preparedness and response was assessed through evaluating existing LOINC terminology against terminology specified by the World Health Organization PH Emergency Operation Centers (EOC). The following functions were evaluated: 1) Managing and Commanding; 2) Operating; 3) Planning/Intelligence; 4) Logistics and 5) Finance/Administration5. LOINC terminology was also evaluated against the CDC PH EOC Minimum Data Set (MDS)6 that contains 315 standardized terms. Analysis of fully specified LOINC terms was conducted through assessment of such LOINC term parts (attributes) as the code, name (component), system, method and class. Recommendations of gaps and enhancements were coordinated with LOINC management for inclusion of the new terminology in the release of version 2.65 .ResultsA new LOINC method, “CDC.EOC”, is under development. Currently, the “emergency management incident” terminology presented by LOINC is limited by such characteristics as event type, event location and event name and requires amplification regarding to PH operations (i.e., communication, logistics etc.).As a result of this investigation, emergency management terms are now being classified according to the type of incident or event (i.e., hurricane, outbreak, etc.) under LOINC code 80394-0. Similarly laboratory and clinical terms are being classified under a provisional LOINC code (89724-9). Two panels were created: 1) The emergency medical systems from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) was added under the NEMSIS.Panel (n= 177 terms) and 2) the Data Elements for Emergency Departments Systems (DEEDS) panel (n = 152 terms) was added with two subpanels: Attach.ED and Panel.ED.Assessing existing LOINC taxonomy and codification, DEO is working with the LOINC management team on evaluating additional options for reconciliation the PH emergency preparedness and response common information exchange reference model and LOINC standard. This process aims to further improve semantic interoperability of PH emergency preparedness and response information.ConclusionsThe LOINC terminology standardization is essential for improving PH preparedness and response data exchange and semantic interoperability. Collaboration with the Regenstrief Institute (LOINC) allows CDC to meet the terminology needs of PH emergency management and defines new opportunities for reconciliation data exchange between NIMS partners. This collaborative effort incorporates critically needed PH emergency and preparedness terminology and hierarchical structure in the LOINC standard.References1.FEMA National Incident Management System. Third Edition, October 2017. At: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1508151197225-ced8c60378c3936adb92c1a3ee6f6564/FINAL_NIMS_2017.pdf2. US National Library of Medicine. Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC). At: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/loinc_main.html3. LOINC. The international standard for identifying health measurements, observations, and documents. At: https://loinc.org/4. RELMA-the Reginstrief Institute LOINC Mapping Assistant. At: https://loinc.org/relma/5.WHO. Framework for a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Interim document. November, 2015. At: http://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789241565134_eng/en/6. CDC. Public Health Information Network Vocabulary Access and Distribution System (PHIN VADS). Minimum Data Set for PH Emergency Operations Center. At: https://phinvads.cdc.gov/vads/SearchVocab.action 

scholarly journals Malaria Outbreak Investigation in Siansundu, Binga District, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe, 2013

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Cynthia Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
P Value ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Mosquito Nets ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response

Malaria Is Of Public Health Importance In Zimbabwe. A Sharp Rise In The Number Of Malaria Cases In Binga District Was Noted During Week Five In 2013. On Further Analysis, The Siansundu Clinic Was Found To Be In An Outbreak Situation. The Study Was Conducted To Determine Factors Associated With Contracting Malaria In Binga District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. An Unmatched 1: 1 Case-Control Study Was Conducted In Siansundu, Binga, Among 124 Residents. A Case Was A Person Who Presented With Malaria Symptoms, A Control Was A Person Who Was A Neighbour Of A Case And Did Not Suffer From Typical Malaria Symptoms Or Had A Negative RDT Result From The 1st Of January 2013. A Pre-Tested Interviewer-Administered Questionnaire And A Checklist Were Used To Collect Data. Data Were Analyzed Using Epi Info, Where Odds Ratios And P Values Were Calculated. Risk Factors For Contracting Malaria Were: Fetching Water At Night (OR 2.55, P-Value 0.04); Having Inadequate Mosquito Nets Per Sleeping Space (OR 3.596, P-Value 0.036); Worshipping And Praying Outside At Night (OR 3.417, P-Value 0.0006). Wearing Long Clothing At Night Was A Protective Factor Against Contracting Malaria (OR 0.156, P-Value 0.001). The Case Fatality Rate Was 0.43%. The District Was Not Prepared For The Outbreak And Responded Late. Educational Strategies To Address The Risk Factors For Malaria And Regular Meetings By The Emergency Preparedness And Response Team Were Recommended To Prevent Future Outbreaks And Aid Outbreak Preparedness.

scholarly journals (P2-17) “Burning Valentine,” a Simulated Evacuation Exercise of a Burn Unit (BU)

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s141-s141
Author(s):  
E.L. Dhondt ◽  
T. Peeters ◽  
L. Orlans
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Fire Detection ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Military Hospital ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Burn Care ◽  
Evacuation Drills

BackgroundAccording to the Belgian Hospital Disaster Planning Act, all hospitals are required to have written disaster plans and to routinely conduct annual disaster drills. In 2010, the management of the Military Hospital decided to organize an evacuation exercise of the newly built 24-bed BU.AimTo evaluate this new BU's evacuation plan and drills and the overall hospital emergency incident response and command system.Methods and ResultsIt was decided to conduct a simulated evacuation exercise following an internal fire, before the BU effectively was put into use, thereby deploying fashioned simulated patients and visitors but bringing into action the regular attending medical, nursing and logistic staff. A multidisciplinary design and organizing team was launched, consisting of the hospitals disaster preparedness coordinator, the EMS-staff, external burn care, emergency incident management and operational engineering experts. The appointed objectives for evaluation were the knowledge of the regular evacuation drills, especially the clearance of an intensive care room; access to evacuation routes; visibility of safety guidelines; mission and tasks of the hospital's first response team and the medical incident manager; communication and information flow and the establishment of the hospital's coordination committee. In the mean time and following lessons learned, a number of mitigation measures have been instituted: adequate identification of evacuated rooms, new configuration of the fire detection alarm, optimized access to stairwells and elevators, adjustment of action cards and specific fire fighting training for hospital staff. Finally the decision was made not to purchase specific evacuation equipment for the movement of patients.ConclusionTaking advantage of the BU's provisional vacancy, a simulated hospital evacuation exercise increased the hospital emergency preparedness, awareness and response to disasters within the hospital, in particular in a critical care department, otherwise difficult to assess.

scholarly journals 18.H. Workshop: Bringing evidence during public health emergencies: addressing the challenge through HTA

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response ◽  
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Abstract Evidence-based decision-making is central to public health. Implementing evidence-informed actions is most challenging during a public health emergency as in an epidemic, when time is limited, scientific uncertainties and political pressures tend to be high, and irrefutable evidence may be lacking. The process of including evidence in public health decision-making and for evidence-informed policy, in preparation, and during public health emergencies, is not systematic and is complicated by many barriers as the absences of shared tools and approaches for evidence-based preparedness and response planning. Many of today's public health crises are also cross-border, and countries need to collaborate in a systematic and standardized way in order to enhance interoperability and to implement coordinated evidence-based response plans. To strengthen the impact of scientific evidence on decision-making for public health emergency preparedness and response, it is necessary to better define mechanisms through which interdisciplinary evidence feeds into decision-making processes during public health emergencies and the context in which these mechanisms operate. As a multidisciplinary, standardized and evidence-based decision-making tool, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) represents and approach that can inform public health emergency preparedness and response planning processes; it can also provide meaningful insights on existing preparedness structures, working as bridge between scientists and decision-makers, easing knowledge transition and translation to ensure that evidence is effectively integrated into decision-making contexts. HTA can address the link between scientific evidence and decision-making in public health emergencies, and overcome the key challenges faced by public health experts when advising decision makers, including strengthening and accelerating knowledge transfer through rapid HTA, improving networking between actors and disciplines. It may allow a 360° perspective, providing a comprehensive view to decision-making in preparation and during public health emergencies. The objective of the workshop is to explore and present how HTA can be used as a shared and systematic evidence-based tool for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, in order to enable stakeholders and decision makers taking actions based on the best available evidence through a process which is systematic and transparent. Key messages There are many barriers and no shared mechanisms to bring evidence in decision-making during public health emergencies. HTA can represent the tool to bring evidence-informed actions in public health emergency preparedness and response.

Knowledge on radiation emergency preparedness among nuclear medicine technologists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.A. Shubayr ◽  
Y.I. Alashban
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Geiger Counter ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Reactor Accident ◽  
Radiation Emergency ◽  
Emergency Preparedness And Response

This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) in radiation emergency preparedness and response operations and their willingness to participate in such operations. A survey was developed for this purpose and distributed to NMTs in Saudi Arabia. Sixty participants responded with a response rate of 63.31%. Based on the overall radiation protection knowledge related to emergency response, NMTs can perform radiation detection, population monitoring, patient decontamination, and assist with radiological dose assessments during radiation emergencies. There were no significant differences in the knowledge on the use of scintillation gamma camera (P = 0.314), well counter (P = 0.744), Geiger counter (P = 0.935), thyroid probes (P = 0.980), portable monitor (P = 0.830), or portable multichannel analyzer (P = 0.413) and years of experience. Approximately 44% of the respondents reported receiving emergency preparedness training in the last 5 years. Respondents who reported receiving training were significantly more familiar with the emergency preparedness resources (P = 0.031) and more willing to assist with radiation detection or monitoring in the event of nuclear reactor accident (P = 0.016), nuclear weapon detonation (P = 0.002), and dirty bomb detonation (P = 0.003). These findings indicate the importance of training and continuing education in radiological emergency preparedness and response, which increase the willingness to respond to radiological accidents and fill the gaps in NMTs’ knowledge and familiarity with response resources.

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