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At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Treating the victims after disaster: physical and psychological effects.

Disaster victims present in waves. The initial presenting group is traditionally suffering from mild physical injuries, and the second wave, usually following 6 h later, typically has more serious trauma. Medical problems typically are not adequately treated when a person has psychological reasons to worry about survival. The third wave of victims from untreated medical problems occurs 6 d after the initial disaster. Triage of the initial waves is important to prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed and to begin looking for those who will suffer long-term psychological sequelae. Early intervention in those at greatest risk for long-term issues is important and can be accomplished.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2006

International cooperation and preparedness in responding to accidental or deliberate biological disasters: lessons and future directions.

Preparations for international cooperation in response to disease disasters at the regional or continental levels are poorly coordinated and cooperation is limited, although intergovernmental and international organisations have been advocating for years that emergency responses to infectious disease outbreaks should be planned for and prepared at the national level. National governments are responsible for contingency planning to protect the public; however, this responsibility needs to be broadened to encompass regional and international approaches. Little public domain information is available on international coordinated responses to the deliberate introduction of biological pathogens. Terrorist events in the early 21st Century have increased awareness of the risks, but solid commitment and internationally resourced initiatives are still lacking. The current avian influenza disaster has largely been addressed by the three global agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and World Health Organization (WHO), using the underlying precepts that shape the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs). The GF-TADs offers a substantial base to improve regional epidemiological and environmental information, diagnostic networking, trend analysis and intervention against the important epidemic animal diseases. International prevention, preparedness and response require multidisciplinary teams working in an environment of intergovernmental cooperation that encompasses numerous ministries and agencies. This paper focuses on known international aspects of collaboration on emergency preparedness and addresses the FAO/OIE initiative to strengthen veterinary and public health systems involved in controlling and preventing serious health threats.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1999

The politics of "natural" disaster: who made Mitch so bad?

The devastation in Central America following the 1998 hurricane (Hurricane Mitch) resulted more from economic and political policies than from "natural" disaster. Over the last 30 or 40 years, huge numbers of poor people in these countries have been forced off good, stable agricultural land onto degraded hillsides and into shanty towns constructed on floodplains--areas known to pose serious hazards of flooding and mudslides. This, together with the failure of impoverished countries to anticipate disaster through mass evacuations or to respond effectively to the hurricane's widespread damage--ensured the loss of thousands of lives.

Central America↗
PubMed2003

General toxicologic hazards and risks for search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters.

In large-scale disasters, it is not always possible to identify every potential toxic agent to which SAR dogs may be exposed. However, an understanding of the basic means by which dogs may be exposed to toxic agents can aid veterinarians in determining basic risks for particular SAR sites and allow veterinarians to institute general preventive measures (eg, frequent eye washes) to minimize exposure. Discussions with public health and other authorities on-site may aid in identifying site-specific risks for SAR dogs. Finally, ensuring that SAR dog handlers are aware of basic risks, precautions, and decontamination measures is essential, as handlers are the first line of defense in preventing illness or injury to SAR dogs as they work a disaster area.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1977

Medical aspects of the Granville Rail Disaster.

The paper outlines the Granville Rail Disaster incident, and the Sydney Metropolitan Disaster Programme which was operational for the first time. The nature of casualties (their triage, resuscitation and evacuation) is discussed, together with a description of the medical response. Difficulties confronting rescuers are mentioned and conclusions are drawn.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shelter in the storm: disasters put hospitals to the test.

If disaster response is the ultimate test of our health care delivery system, California hospitals over the past three years have been subjected to what seems like final exams. Beginning with the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and continuing with the Oakland firestorm in October 1991, the I-5 dust storm in November 1991, the Cape Mendocino quake in April, the Los Angeles riots in May, the Landers and Bear Lake quakes in June, and forest fires throughout the summer, California hospitals have risen to each and every occasion, showing consistent dedication to quality care while under tremendous stress. During these disasters, hospitals served as shelters in the storm for their communities, as thousands of wounded, sick and frightened poured through their doors. Staff performed more than their usual duties during these crises. Some worked double shifts. Others came to work and pitched in even though they were off duty. Many comforted patients while they worried about the safety of their own families and homes. Following are the experiences of some of these individuals.

California↗
PubMed1994

Dealing with disasters: how hospitals responded to sulfuric acid leak, tornado, floods.

Disasters can strike at any time, with or without warning. While all hospitals have emergency preparedness plans, anticipating every effect of a crisis on the hospital, staff, and surrounding community can be difficult. This special report will examine the response of hospitals to three disasters--an acid leak in California, a tornado in Virginia, and the summer flooding in the Midwest--and the lessons learned from those crises.

California↗
PubMed1994

Special report. The 1994 Southern California earthquake: its continuing impact on area hospitals and some lessons it can teach all hospitals on disaster preparedness.

The massive earthquake that rocked Southern California on January 17 left area hospitals facing both an influx of patients and heavily damaged facilities. Several hospitals were forced to shut down temporarily, although in most cases not before quake victims were triaged and other patients were safely transferred to other facilities. With damage totals still being calculated and repair projects just under way, several hospitals already are evaluating their response to the quake in an effort to be even more prepared should another disaster of that magnitude occur. This special report will provide an overview of the damages suffered by several hospitals; describe the role played by administrators and staff--particularly the security department--in the aftermath of the quake; and offer advice from hospital officials on how to best prepare for an earthquake or another natural disaster and how to function most effectively in the aftermath.

California↗
PubMed1997

Hospital disaster preparedness: meeting a requirement or preparing for the worst?

Too many of our nation's hospitals have been become complacent over disaster preparedness. They develop a document to meet a licensure requirement or a joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations standard. The language is minimal and when the document is exercised, only a few portions (personnel recall and mass casualty, in particular) are tested. It would benefit hospitals to take time to talk to those recently effected by floods, earthquakes or hurricanes, so that they would learn that to be really prepared to face and survive a disaster, extensive, in-depth planning must take place.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed1999

Oklahoma City's killer tornadoes: how local hospitals responded to yet another extreme disaster.

On the evening of May 3rd, a group of high-powered tornadoes tore through Oklahoma--leaving more than 40 people dead and hundreds injured. The main twister formed about 45 miles south of Oklahoma City and was classified F5, the most severe type of tornado, with winds of more than 260 mph. It cut a path one mile wide; stayed on the ground for more than four hours; and, along with other twisters, demolished 60 miles of countryside. More than 7,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, and more than 5,000 families were left homeless. Oklahoma City was hit the hardest, with about 1,500 homes leveled in the storm. A total of 755 people were injured in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area, testing local hospital disaster plans to the maximum. The same hospitals had been called on in April 1995 to handle the over 500 persons injured in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, a terrorist blast that killed 168. The hospitals' latest response to a disaster situation is recorded in this report.

Communication↗
PubMed2001

Dialysis and disaster: San Francisco's dialysis community remembers the Loma Prieta earthquake. Interview by Susan L. Robertson.

Unlike many regions of the United States that live with seasonal disasters such as hurricanes, snow storms, or flooding from torrential rains, the greatest threat of natural disaster in California still comes from earthquakes (TransPacific Renal Network, 1998). This was proven on October 17, 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake rolled through northern California. Measured as 7.1 on the Richter scale, the quake's epicenter was located about 10 miles northeast of Santa Cruz along a segment of the San Andreas Fault near the town of Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The impact, however, was felt throughout most of the northern portion of the state.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

[Demographic impact of the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster].

"The article deals with the impact of the Chernobyl [nuclear] disaster on demographic development of the areas [of Belarus] damaged through the disaster. Data are given related to population size, sex and age population structure, migration, morbidity, mortality and fertility based on monitoring surveys." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Asia↗
PubMed1960

Disaster care for 15 million Californians.

The urgency of the crisis following a nuclear attack staggers the imagination. We would have thousands or millions of survivors making a desperate struggle to survive. Safe water supplies and waste-disposal systems would be gone. In some areas, there would be little or no food or shelter. Yet California has already manned a medical arsenal that is second to none in the United States. We have stored 115 emergency hospitals at strategic points, and through the county medical associations we have appointed cadres including physicians, nurses and technicians. Plans have been made for workers who will assist in setting up the hospitals and first aid stations. In our future operations we will continue to place strong emphasis on the medical phase of our program of disaster care.The program would be just as essential in the event of major natural disaster as nuclear war. Our objective is a simple one. We are seeking to preserve the human resources which are necessary for recovery.California's medical profession, with the allied professions of nursing and technical skills, has a vital interest in continuing operations to the maximum extent even under the most trying conditions.

California↗
PubMed1960

Problems associated with medical disaster care. Preparations in a large Southern California area.

In the organization for dealing with medical disaster, the region is in an intermediary position, between the State Disaster Office and the operational areas. Regional functions are largely those of coordinating the activities of the areas, and are based upon directives and plans from the state level. The regional medical chief is a member of the staff of the Civil Defense coordinator and must advise him in all matters related to the health of the people, including medical and casualty care, hospitalization, public health, sanitation, preventive medicine and the special problems of biological, chemical and radiation hazards. Coordination with the other Civil Defense services is necessary. The basic medical plan is to give emergency care in the first aid stations and then evacuate casualties to hospitals when and how the situation permits. Regional function is to obtain personnel, supply, equipment and hospitalization support when required. Dispersal of danger zone populations to support areas creates many medical and public health problems among the displaced people and the residents. Survival of the nation requires altered concepts of casualty management. The least injured who have the greatest productive potential should have the highest treatment priority. Short, lifesaving surgical procedures must have precedence over long, complicated operations. No plan is any better than the individual doctors, nurses and other personnel who will put it into operation.

California↗
PubMed2005

Water safety and disaster management procedures reported by Louisiana health care food service directors.

Eighty health care food service directors in Louisiana were surveyed regarding their knowledge of policies and procedures their facilities have for water management in natural disasters and emergencies. Questionnaires were mailed to hospital and long-term-care food service directors in Louisiana. Responses indicated that hurricanes were the most common natural disaster affecting the facilities, frequently resulting in loss of electrical-power and natural-gas services. Food service directors had some knowledge of the content of emergency/disaster plans in their facilities, but were unfamiliar with procedures for obtaining water from alternative sources. The majority of health care facilities did not test water quality as part of normal operating procedures. To facilitate production of safe, quality food from alternative potable-water sources when needed, health care food service directors should review the emergency/disaster plans of their facilities for potable-water procedures.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2006

Management of trauma in special populations after a disaster.

Special populations are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems in the aftermath of a disaster. Efficient delivery of mental health services, the integrated use of psychosocial services and mental health facilities, and the active intervention of trained community health care workers can offer effective management of the psychosocial problems of special populations. Women, children, adolescents, the poor, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting health problems have been identified as special populations who often suffer psychological morbidity as a result of a catastrophic disaster. Understanding the cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors in a postdisaster situation is crucial to helping special populations overcome debilitating mental illness and declining quality of life. Planning the delivery of mental health services is critical and includes hazard mapping to identify vulnerable geographic and social areas, screening instruments to identify at-risk populations, and education of community leaders and health care workers. An integrated approach using psychosocial and institutionalized interventions can provide better outcomes than either approach alone. A community-based approach with trained grassroots health care workers can provide effective psychosocial support and rehabilitation services.

Adolescent↗