Are local offices of emergency management prepared for people with disabilities? Results from the FEMA Region 9 Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Robyn R. Gershon, MHS, DrPH ◽  
Michelle A. Muska, EMT, MPH ◽  
Qi Zhi, MPH ◽  
Lewis E. Kraus, MPH, MCP
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Management ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Department Of Justice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sign Language Interpreters ◽  
Personal Assistants ◽  
Management Recommendations

Objective: To assess disaster planning of local Offices of Emergency Management (OEM) with respect to people with disabilities (PWD).Design: A cross-sectional study of local OEM from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 9 (N = 61) was conducted using an internet-based survey. The primary outcome was the adoption of emergency management recommendations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FEMA in applying Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Results: OEM implementation of ADA requirements was generally suboptimal. While 63 percent reported that plans addressed the needs of PWD, only 41 percent reported detailed operating procedures for PWD. Training of staff to ensure that they were knowledgeable on the ADA requirements for inclusivity was rarely conducted. While accessible shelters and transportation were often identified, accessible communication strategies, including emergency notifications, were often lacking; only 28 percent of OEMs reported availability of sign language interpreters at shelters. Shelters often allowed service animal access (62 percent), but fewer allowed access to personal assistants (39 percent). Engagement of the disability community, from plan development to community drills, was uncommon. While more than half (59 percent) of OEM felt clear about their responsibilities in providing equal access to PWD, only 23 percent reported having qualified staff and other resources necessary in order to meet those responsibilities. Participants cited the need for more training on the ADA requirements in order to better meet the needs of PWD. Conclusion: Strategies for improvement to assure inclusiveness of PWD in all phases of emergency management are needed.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19 in 2 Geographically Distinct Regions

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110001
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Lee ◽  
Daniella Daliyot ◽  
Ri Wang ◽  
Joel Lockwood ◽  
Paul Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Self ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Geographical Regions

Objective: To directly compare the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction (smell and taste) in geographically distinct regions with the same questionnaires. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the self-reported symptoms among adults (older than 18 years) who underwent COVID-19 testing at an ambulatory assessment center in Canada and at a hospital in Israel between March 16, 2020, and August 19, 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of self-reported chemosensory dysfunction (anosmia/hypomsia and dysgeusia/ageusia). Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of chemosensory deficits among the outpatients. Results: We identified a total of 350 COVID-19–positive patients (138 Canadians and 212 Israelis). The overall prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction was 47.1%. There was a higher proportion of chemosensory deficits among Canadians compared to Israelis (66.7% vs 34.4%, P < .01). A subgroup analysis for outpatients (never hospitalized) still identified a higher prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction among Canadians compared to Israelis (68.2% vs 36.1%, P < 0.01). A majority of patients recovered their sense of smell after 4 weeks of symptom onset. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of chemosensory deficit in COVID-19 was found to be similar to previously published reports, the prevalence can vary significantly across different geographical regions. Therefore, it is important to obtain regionally specific data so that the symptom of anosmia/dysgeusia can be used as a guide for screening for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Who is at risk of occupational Q fever: new insights from a multi-profession cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e030088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Groten ◽  
Karola Kuenzer ◽  
Udo Moog ◽  
Beate Hermann ◽  
Katrin Maier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
Regular Contact

ObjectivesQ fever is a zoonosis caused by the bacteriumCoxiella burnetii. It is recognised as an occupational hazard for individuals who are in regular contact with animal birth products. Data from the literature are not comparable because different serological assays perform very differently in detecting past infections. It is therefore essential to choose the right assay for obtaining reliable data of seroprevalence. Obstetricians are another profession potentially at risk of Q fever. They can be infected from birth products of women with Q fever during pregnancy. There is little data, however, for Q fever in this occupational group. Our study therefore had two purposes. The first was to obtain reliable seroprevalence data for occupational groups in regular contact with animal birth products by using an assay with proven excellent sensitivity and specificity for detecting past infections. The second purpose was to obtain primary data for obstetricians.DesignWe carried out a cross-sectional study.SettingThe study included shepherds, cattle farmers, veterinarians and obstetricians from Thuringia.Participants77 shepherds, 74 veterinarians, 14 cattle farmers, 17 office employees and 68 obstetricians participated. The control group consisted of 92 blood donors.Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome measure wasC. burnetiiphase II specific IgG. The assay used was evaluated for this purpose in a previous study.ResultsOf the 250 blood samples we analysed, the very highest seroprevalences (64%–77%) occurred in individuals with frequent animal contact. There were no significant differences between shepherds, cattle farmers and veterinarians. The seroprevalence in people working in administration was lower but still significantly greater than the control. No obstetricians or midwives tested positive.ConclusionsShepherds, cattle farmers and veterinarians have a high risk ofC. burnetiiinfection. However, our study clearly proves that there was no increased risk for people working in an obstetric department.

scholarly journals Estimating the met need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in three payams of Torit County, South Sudan: a facility-based, retrospective cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pontius Bayo ◽  
Imose Itua ◽  
Suzie Paul Francis ◽  
Kofi Boateng ◽  
Elijo Omoro Tahir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Postpartum Haemorrhage ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Emergency Obstetric Care ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Obstetric Complications ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectiveTo determine the met need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in three Payams of Torit County, South Sudan in 2015 and to determine the frequency of each major obstetric complication.DesignThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study.SettingFour primary healthcare centres (PHCCs) and one state hospital in three payams (administrative areas that form a county) in Torit County, South Sudan.ParticipantsAll admissions in the obstetrics and gynaecology wards (a total of 2466 patient admission files) in 2015 in all the facilities designated to conduct deliveries in the study area were reviewed to identify obstetric complications.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was met need for EmOC, which was defined as the proportion of all women with direct major obstetric complications in 2015 treated in health facilities providing EmOC services. The frequency of each complication and the interventions for treatment were the secondary outcomes.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty four major obstetric complications were admitted in 2015 out of 390 expected from 2602 pregnancies, representing 65.13% met need. The met need was highest (88%) for Nyong Payam, an urban area, compared with the other two rural payams, and 98.8% of the complications were treated from the hospital, while no complications were treated from three PHCCs. The most common obstetric complications were abortions (45.7%), prolonged obstructed labour (23.2%) and haemorrhage (16.5%). Evacuation of the uterus for retained products (42.5%), caesarean sections (32.7%) and administration of oxytocin for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (13.3%) were the most common interventions.ConclusionThe met need for EmOC in Torit County is low, with 35% of women with major obstetric complications not accessing care, and there is disparity with Nyong Payam having a higher met need. We suggest more support supervision to the PHCCs to increase access for the rural population.

scholarly journals Children’s contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards disability: a cross-sectional study

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 879-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Armstrong ◽  
Christopher Morris ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Obioha C. Ukoumunne ◽  
Mark Tarrant
Keyword(s):  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Study on Subjective Fever Assessment in Children by Palpation: Are Fathers as Reliable as Mothers?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ehud Rosenbloom ◽  
Crysta Balis ◽  
Dustin Jacobson ◽  
Melanie Conway ◽  
Ji Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background. Fever is common in pediatric patients. Often, parents rely solely on palpation when assessing their child’s fever. The objective of the current study was to determine the accuracy of parents in detecting their child’s fever by palpation. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary pediatric hospital. Infants and children, 0–4 years of age, presenting to the ED with both parents were included. Parents were separately asked if their child had a fever and, if so, were asked to assess the temperature by palpation. A nurse obtained the rectal temperature. The primary outcome measure was the accuracy of fathers and mothers in detecting fever. Results. A total of 170 children with their parents were enrolled. The mean ages of the children, mothers, and fathers were 18.9 (SD 0.8) months, 31.1 (SD 6.4) years, and 33.7 (SD 6.9) years, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between mothers and fathers in the ability to assess fever by palpation (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39,−1.08). Sensitivities for detecting fever by palpation for mothers and father were 86.4% and 88.2%, respectively (specificity among mothers: 54.2% and specificity among fathers: 43.1%). The overall negative and positive predictive values were 65.9% (95% CI 55%–75.7%) and 75.7% (95% CI 69.9%–80.8%), respectively. Conclusions. Mothers and fathers do not differ in their ability to accurately assess their child’s fever by palpation. The low positive and negative predictive values indicate that if temperature was not measured, physicians cannot rely on parents’ reports.

Children in Boxing and Martial Arts Should Be Better Guarded From Facial Injuries

2021 ◽  
pp. 194338752110166
Author(s):  
Rachael J. Gotlieb ◽  
Thomas J. Sorenson ◽  
Vedant Borad ◽  
Warren Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Martial Arts ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Facial Injuries ◽  
The Face

Study Design: Cross-sectional study Objective: Childhood participation in boxing and martial arts has increased over the past decade, and these activities are well-known causes of traumatic injury. We hypothesized that the face is frequently injured in the setting of pediatric boxing and martial arts trauma in the United States and that there are identifiable injury patterns. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of consecutive pediatric patients in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. Patients were included in our study if they were younger than 18 years of age and evaluated in the emergency department (ED) after boxing or martial arts trauma. Primary outcome was facial injury. Other variables of interest include age, sex, ED disposition, type and location of injury. Descriptive and univariate statistics of the primary outcome were computed with these variables. Results: There were 4,978 total pediatric patients injured due to boxing and martial arts trauma reported by NEISS-participating EDs during the study period, and 264 patients experienced injury to the face (264/4978; 5.3%). Over 20% (n = 60) of reported facial injuries were fractures; the most fractured structure was the nose (42/60; 70), orbit (11/60; 18.3%), and mandible (6/60; 10%). Almost 20% (11/60%) of pediatric facial fractures due to boxing and martial arts trauma involved fighting a family member or friend, and a punch was the most common mode of fracture (42/58; 72.4%). Conclusions: Facial injuries comprise about 5% of injuries after boxing and martial arts trauma and 22% of these facial injuries are fractures. If children choose to participate, parents, coaches, trainers, officials, and community leaders should make the greatest effort possible to minimize risk, including the mandatory use of head and face protective gear and elimination of training fighting, or “sparring.”

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document