Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Disasters”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,027 records · Page 57Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The 1983 Beirut Airport terrorist bombing. Injury patterns and implications for disaster management.

The casualty profile and results of the medical care provided for the survivors of the terrorist truck bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps facility in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983 were reviewed to determine the factors that influenced casualty survival. This explosion resulted in 346 casualties, of whom 234 (68%) were immediately killed. The spectrum of injury was determined in 85 survivors using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). There were seven (6.3%) deaths among the 112 immediate survivors. All deaths occurred among the 19 (17%) victims who were critically injured (ISS greater than 15), giving a mortality in this population of 37 per cent. Six (86%) of the seven deaths were associated with an initial delay in treatment. Head injury was the most common fatal injury among both immediate fatalities (71.4%) and immediate survivors (57%). Thoracic injury and burns each accounted for 29 per cent of survivor deaths. Triage efficiency, as determined by the rates of overtriage (80%) and undertriage (0), did not appear adversely to affect mortality. Critical analysis of disasters such as this can contribute to improvements in preparation and casualty care in the event of future disasters.

Disasters↗
PubMed1986

The evacuation hospital in civilian disasters.

In a mass casualty situation the hospital nearest to the disaster scene is usually overwhelmed by the injured. We propose a solution whereby a civilian hospital in times of crisis can become an evacuation hospital (EH) to meet the immediate needs of the casualties. An EH is a hospital located as near as possible to the disaster area, whose function is to serve as a forward treating facility. All the wounded should be brought first to the EH, where they are sorted, resuscitated and stabilized for transportation, after which they are evacuated. Only the critically wounded undergo surgery at the EH; the lightly wounded remain in the EH, and all other wounded are distributed among the general hospitals for rapid definitive treatment. This principle was first applied in a civilian medical system. The Rokach (Hadassah) Hospital in Tel Aviv served as an EH in admitting 40 casualties following a nearby terrorist attack. Seventeen seriously and moderately wounded patients were resuscitated and evacuated to hospitals in the vicinity. All arrived in stable condition. Seventeen lightly wounded were detained in the EH and 4 underwent life-saving surgery there.

Disasters↗
PubMed1985

Sorting out triage in urban disasters.

In the prehospital phase of disaster management the concept of triage is confused, complicated and too often unrealistic. It is proposed that where triage or sorting is necessary it should be based on the observation of vital signs and not on injuries or suspected injuries. It is hoped that such a system, based on everyday practice and easily understood, will be seriously considered for adoption at the disaster site.

Disasters↗
PubMed1982

International disaster identification report. Investigative and dental aspects.

This meeting, held in October 1980 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, was a very serious effort to begin international cooperation in a much needed area: disaster investigation and identification. Under the leadership of Col. Arie van den Bos of the Royal Police of the Netherlands, the work was accomplished with representatives and observers from many major countries represented. Efforts were made to solve the enigma of international cooperation. A plane crash of an airline of a major country in a distant country can be properly investigated only with the cooperation of the carrier and the country in which the tragedy occurred. The International Academy of Legal Medicine and Social Medicine devoted a 3-day program to the study of this problem during their last international meeting in Lyon, France, and it will be discussed further in Vienna in 1982 under the leadership of Prof. Wilhelm Holczabek. The experience of Norwegian investigators is mentioned as an example of the type of problems encountered with foreign nationals involved in a crash in the country, or a disaster involving a ship or a oil platform where foreign nationals are working, or in a tragedy such as the propylene explosion in Tarragona, Spain, which resulted in more than 200 tourists from many countries dying in the fire, many bodies burned beyond recognition.

Congresses as Topic↗
PubMed1977

[Attitude toward the risk of epidemics during sudden disasters (author's transl)].

Following sudden disasters, major outbreaks are rare unless malnutrition and starvation are common. No dramatic increase of water borne diseases has been reported and adequately documented in the aftermath of the earthquakes, cyclones or floods of this decade. However, the attitude of the public, the mass media and of the health services is sometimes irrational leading to impressive but ineffective mass immunizations. An epidemiologic system and accurate information on the actual situation are essential in case of major disasters.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1978

Simulation of injuries in disaster exercises.

It is essential that hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, helicopters, police, fire services and all others involved in major accidents or disasters should have adequate training in the assessment, management and transport of casualties by the means of regular disaster exercises. These practices, whether small or large, are much more realistic if casualties are properly made up to simulate the injury that they are supposed to represent, and if the 'patients' can act the part. The illustrations in this article show how real the make-up can be and how seriously the doctors, nurses, ambulance officers, fire and police officers and others take these exercises which often have between 100-200 'victims'.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed1983

Organising and planning for a disaster.

Disasters affect people, communities, domestic animals and native fauna and often inflict damage to property, injury and loss of life. Australia has been relatively fortunate in this regard; nonetheless we must plan disaster procedures.

Australia↗
PubMed1983

Burns management in a disaster.

The 1983 bushfires in Victoria and South Australia highlighted the need for discussion of the management of burns injuries in a disaster. The prospect of being faced suddenly with 100 or more burnt patients is a nightmare but it has happened in other parts of the world; the importance of triage is stressed in the plans for such a disaster.

Australia↗
PubMed1983

Experiences in medical coverage of airport disasters at Logan International Airport in Boston.

Experiences in providing medical coverage for airport disasters at Logan International Airport (LIA) in Boston are presented from 1963-1982. The paper traces the history of the medical facility at LIA and describes the factors to be considered in planning disaster coverage at a major airport. It analyzes the aircraft accidents that have occurred at LIA using the type of accident as a guide for medical planning. It delineates the various phases of aircraft emergency procedures and the medical action that follows such occurrences. Various components of medical action, from the time of notification to rescue and triage, are presented discussing the need for each component. The Medical Action Flow chart and alternate schematic arrangements for rescue, triage, and evacuation are presented in sketches. The need for an overall Medical Command and the concepts of Primary Triage and Secondary Triage are explained.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1981

Psychological reactions of disaster victims.

A general review of psychological reactions to a disaster situation in four groups of people is presented. Adult reactions (and management thereof) vary according to the phase of the disaster, viz (i) the pre-impact phase characterized by underactivity, development of anxiety symptoms or involvement in adaptive activities; (ii) the warning phase typically manifested by overactivity; (iii) the impact phase characterized by bewilderment, confusion or hysteria; (iv) the turmoil-recoil phase manifesting in emotional expression relating to the immediate past; and (v) the emotionally wounded or post-traumatic phase featuring reconstructive activity with some elements of anger and resentment. Reactions in children are usually transitory but may be influenced by parental psychopathology, separation anxiety or previous emotional disturbances. Typical adult reactions seen in the elderly may be compounded by what has been termed a high sense of deprivation. Relief workers are exposed to psychic stress in the form of greater responsibilities and role identification and many also show delayed reactions to the death and destruction observed.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1980

Medical coordination in airport disasters.

The goals of an Airport Disaster Plan includes the care, treatment and transportation of the wounded with the quality and quantity of care that minimizes the mortality and morbidity of the survivors of a crash. Coordination of the medical aspects of these plans requires participation by physicians, nurses, ambulance and hospital personnel, psychologists, and psychiatrists. To maintain these divers groups in a state of readiness for a potential disaster which may have a frequency of 5-20 years is a challenging problem. This paper addresses methods of accomplishing this goal.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1980

Mayo seminars in psychiatry: the psychological aftermath of disaster.

The physical and psychological trauma of mass disasters is not limited to the time of the acute event. Research provides evidence of long-term deterioration in health patterns and development of specific syndromes after such disasters. This research is reviewed, along with psychodynamic theories about stress reactions. Psychological and environmental determinants of individual stress responses are discussed, as well as incidence statistics and the vulnerability of special populations.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Fingerprint identification and the disaster victim.

Disasters are characterized by a significant loss of human life, together with a substantial loss of property. The grimmest consequence is the identification of the victims, and this responsibility falls upon the law enforcement community. The identification process is the sole purpose of the FBI Disaster Squad and this humanitarian service is offered as a cost-free public service.

Dermatoglyphics↗
PubMed1995

Tactics and general principles in the treatment of polytraumatized disaster victims.

The authors reviewed their experiences of treating masses of victims after disasters in Arzamas, Armenia, and Ethiopia. To handle these vast numbers of victims, local hospitals were reorganized into specialized clinics with appropriate equipment and medical personnel. Some of the patients were evacuated to multispecialized clinics or rear hospitals. A complex of diagnostic and treatment modalities were used on these patients, including intrabone injections, immunoprophylaxis for purulent complications, skin and bone grafting and external fixation systems designed in Russia. The overwhelming majority of the patients was discharged with good results. To prevent common tactical, treatment, and surgical mistakes, it is necessary to improve medical education to train multispecialized teams in disaster medicine prepared to work under extreme conditions.

Armenia↗
PubMed1995

Disaster nursing in the Oklahoma City bombing.

The Oklahoma City Federal Building disaster quickly changed a routine day of eye surgical procedures into a chaotic trauma center for the victims with not only eye injuries, but multiple deep lacerations and other injuries. The devastating and disruptive effect of the bombing was stressful for the nursing staff who became disaster survivors of the emotional trauma involved.

Blast Injuries↗
PubMed1995

[Emergency psychiatric treatment of survivors of the Estonia disaster].

The sinking of the car ferry, Estonia, was one of the world's most devastating marine disasters of all time. Mass casualty situations tend to give rise to more mental than physical injuries among the survivors. Psychiatric crisis intervention is in the process of becoming established as one arm in the management of disaster victims. In the article is described the emergency psychiatric care which University Hospital, Abo, was able to offer survivors of the Estonia catastrophe. On the basis of the experience gained, the authors suggest that emergency psychiatric plans should be drawn up at all larger hospitals, as there is no time for careful planning in the event of a major incident.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1996

Computer system failure: planning disaster recovery.

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) defines the scope of restoration, establishes responsibilities and lists specific actions to be taken after the disaster. Although not actually involved in a DRP or computer systems, nurse managers must understand the steps involved and identify and communicate nursing's requirements.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed1996

Demographic effects of natural disasters: a case study of Hurricane Andrew.

Many studies have considered the economic, social, and psychological effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, but few have considered their demographic effects. In this paper we describe and evaluate a method for measuring the effects of Hurricane Andrew on the housing stock and population distribution in Dade County, Florida. Using information collected through sample surveys and from other data sources, we investigate the extent of housing damages, the number of people forced out of their homes, where they went, how long they stayed, and whether they returned to their prehurricane residences. We conclude that more than half the housing units in Dade County were damaged by Hurricane Andrew; that more than 353,000 people were forced to leave their homes, at least temporarily; and that almost 40,000 people left the county permanently as a direct result of the hurricane. We believe that this study will provide methodological guidance to analysts studying the demographic effects of other large-scale natural disasters.

Data Collection↗