bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Major and Minor Events that Occurred in Italy during the Last Century Using a Disaster Severity Scale Score
Authors: Ferro Giorgia 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:Epidemiological research about disasters is difficult to perform. Most often, it must be completed retrospectively, since data collection may not be feasible or possible during the disaster.Now, there is a recognized need for a standard method to assess the severity of a disaster.Objectives:The aim of this paper is to assess the severity of the disasters that occurred in Italy during the 20th century, using a Disaster Severity Scale (DSS). Another goal is to find a standard method for the classification of previous disasters, test the feasibility and reliability of the use of the Disaster Severity Scale, and improvedisaster management and planning.Methods:Data were obtained from formal reports of the Civil Defence Unit (Italy) and were used to calculate the Disaster Severity Scale score. Disasters were classified into major and minor disasters, according tothe numbers of deaths and severity of the damage. The number of deaths was compared with the obtained Disaster Severity Scale score. A seasonal trend for different types of events was obtained to assess if there is a relationship between the type of event and the time of the year in which it occurred, as related to the weather conditions existing at that time.Results:There were enough data to calculate a Disaster Severity Scale score for 26 major events that caused death and economic damage, and occurred in Italy between 18 March 1944 and 11 November 1999, and for 82 minor events, that occurred between October 1982 and December 1999. There were some significant peaks varying from different types of events during particular seasons, but the cause for those with the highest incidence is not clear. Events related to natural hazards were the only type of event that reached the highest Disaster Severity Scale when considering the number of deaths, while no events associated with man-made hazards had a Disaster Severity Scale score >8.Conclusion:The Disaster Severity Scale score could be a reliable index for the assessment of events related to either natural or man-made disasters. Use of the Disaster Severity Scale allows researchers to classify previous hazards by scoring each disaster's severity. Further studies in other countries could be useful to further validate the Disaster Severity Scale.
Benchmarking for Hospital Evacuation: A Critical Data Collection Tool
Authors: Schultz Carl H. , Koenig Kristi L. , Heide Erik Auf der , Olson Robert 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn events such as earthquakes or terrorist attacks, hospitals may be victims of disasters. They may need to transfer patients to outside facilities rather than continue to provide on-site care. Following the Northridge earthquake, eight hospitals in the damaged area were the foci of a United States National Science Foundation study that examined the status of the hospitals' pre-event planning, post-event evacuationdecision-making, and internal and external evacuation processes. Building on this experience, this paper offers a standardized data collection tool, which will enable researchers to record hospital evacuation information in a systematic manner so that comparable data can be accumulated, evacuation research methods can be improved, and consensus on methods can be reached. The study's principal subjects include: (1) hospital demographics; (2) description of existing disaster response plans; (3) an event's impacts on hospital operations; (4) decision-making and incident command; (5) movement of patients within the facility; (6) movement of patients to off-site institutions; and (7) hospital recovery.
Blackout 2003: Preparedness and Lessons Learned from the Perspectives of Four Hospitals
Authors: Klein Kelly R. , Rosenthal Marc S. , Klausner Howard A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:The blackout in North America of August 2003 was one of the worst on record. It affected eight United States states and parts of Canada for >24 hours. Additionally, two large United States cities, Detroit, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio, suffered from a loss of water pressure and a subsequent ban on the use of public supplies of potable water that lasted four days. A literature review revealed a paucity of literature that describes blackouts and how they may affect the medical community.Methods:This paper includes a review of after-action reports from four inner-city, urban hospitals supplemented accounts from the authors' hospital's emergency operations center (emergency operations center).Results:Some of the problems encountered, included: (1)lighting; (2) elevator operations; (3) supplies of water; (4) communication operations; (5) computer failure; (6) lack of adequate supplies of food; (7) mobility to obtain Xray studies; (8) heating, air condition, and ventilation; (9) staffing; (10) pharmacy; (11) registration of patients; (12) hospital emergency operations center; (13) loss of isolation facilities; (14) inadequate supplies of paper; (15) impaired ability to provide care for non-emergency patients; (16) sanitation; and (17) inadequate emergency power.Discussion:The blackout of 2003 uncovered problems within the United States hospital system, ranging from staffing to generator coverage. This report is a review of the effects that the blackout and water ban of 2003 had on hospitals in a large inner-city area. Also discussed are solutions utilized at the time and recommendations for the future.Conclusion:The blackout of 2003 was an excellent test of disaster/emergency planning, and produced many valuable lessons to be used in future events.
Panel 2.3: Gender Dimensions and Human Rights Aspects to Responses and Recovery
Authors: Chunkath Sheela Rani , Sherratt Della , Chotani Rashid A. , Smyth Ines , Burns Katherine , Hidayat Melania 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis is a summary of the presentations and discussion of the Gender Dimensions and Human Rights Aspects toResponses and Recovery of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to gender dimensions and human rights pertaining to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is pr presented in the following major sections: wing (1) gaps encountered and major issues; (2) limitations of response; (3) what could have been done better?; and (4) recommendations.
Panel 2.4: Funding Policies and Practices
Authors: Procacci Pasqualinoe , Mookerjee Arindom , German Tony , O'Dwyer Michael , Eppel Gerd 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Funding Policies and Practices of the Conference,Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to funding policies and practices as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) issues from the perspectives of (a) donors, and (b) recipients; (2) coordination; (3) conclusions; (4) the size of the response; (5) measuring the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) as a financial instrument; (6) other issues; (7) lessons learned; and (8) recommendations. Topics discussed in the other issues section include: (1) data; (2) sustainability; (3) capacity building; (4) unspecified funding; and (5) links to aid for development. Subsections of the lessons learned session include: (1) examining the WHO from the donor perspective; and (2) donor community practices.
Panel 2.6: Mental and Psychosocial Effects of the Tsunami on the Affected Populations
Authors: Chakrabhan M.L. Somchai , Chandra Vijay , Levav Itzhak , Pengjuntr Wachira , Bhugra Dinesh , Mendis Nalaka , Naj Amal , van Ommeren Mark 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.6, Mental and Psychosocial Effects of the Tsunami on the Affected Populations of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to mental and psychological aspects as pertaining to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) responses; (2) needs assessment; (3) coordination; (4) gap filling; (5) capacity building; (6) stakeholder agreement; and (7) conclusions and recommendations. In the responses discussion, issues included: (1) psychosocial support services; (2) mental health services; and (3) the Thai respoonse. Subsections in the stakeholder agreement section include: (1) public-private partnerships; and (2) preparedness.
Panel 2.12: The Health Sector Contribution to Disaster Reduction
Authors: Gordon Marc , Poncelet Jean Luc , Dubouloz Marcel , Briceno Salvano 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.12, The Health Sector Contribution to Disaster Reduction, of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related the healt sector's contribution to disaster reduction as pertain to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) issues; (2) lessons learned; and (3) recommendations.
What Have We Learned? Filling Gaps in Available Services
Authors: Waldman Ronald 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis is a synthesis of the presentations and discussions of the Conference in Phuket, Thailand relative to filling the gaps in available services. The topics discussed in this section include: (1) gaps in the early phases of relief, including food, water and sanitation, shelter, health services, field hospitals, mental health, and women's health; (2) what can be done better including the armed forces, the private commercial sector, and coordination; (4) the development of standards; and (5) conclusions and recommendations.
Report to the 58th World Health Assembly: Health Action in Relation to Crises and Disasters
Authors:   Secretariat of the World Health Organization
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis Summary Report was prepared for Agenda item 13.3 for the meeting of the World Health Assembly convened at the World Health Organizationation (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzwitzerland on 20 May 2005. It was in part, prepared from the Reports generaged by the Conference, Health Actions in Relation to Crises and Disasters, convened by the World Health Organization in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005.
Precision of In-Hospital Triage in Mass-Casualty Incidents after Terror Attacks
Authors: Ashkenazi Itamar , Kessel Boris , Khashan Tawfik , Haspel Jacob , Oren Meir , Olsha Oded , Alfici Ricardo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:Proper management of mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) relies on triage as a critical component of the disaster plan.Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the precision of triage in mass-casualty incidents.Methods:The precision of decisions made by two experienced triage officers was examined in two large MCIs. These decisions were compared to the real severity of injury as defined by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) classification of severity of injuries and the Injury Severity Score (ISS).Results:Two experienced trauma physicians triaged a total of 94 casualties into 77 mild, seven moderate, and 10 severe casualties. Based on the IDF criteria, there were 74 mild, five moderate, and 15 severe casualties. Based on ISS scoring, there were 78 mild (ISS &lt;9), five moderate (9 ≤ISS&lt;16), and 11 severe (ISS &lt; 16) casualties. Of 15 severely injured victims defined by the IDF classification of injury severity, the triage officers identified only seven (47%).Conclusion:Primary triage, even when carried out by experienced trauma physicians, can be unreliable in a MCI.
Health Conditions and Risk Factors of Sheltered Persons Displaced by Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Vest Joshua R. , Valadez Adolfo M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:During disasters, public health departments assume the role of maintaining the health of displaced persons. Displaced persons arrive with acute and chronic conditions as well as other risk factors. Descriptions of these conditions may aid future shelter planning efforts.Methods:Approximately 4,000 individuals from New Orleans, displaced by Hurricane Katrina, were sheltered in Austin, Texas. A stratified random sample of the population was selected using individual beds as the primary sampling unit. Adults were interviewed about their acute symptoms, chronic diseases, and other risk factors.Results:The results indicate a substantial proportion of adults arrived with some symptoms of acute illness (49.8%). A majority of the adults reported living with a chronic condition (59.0%), and the prevalence of some chronic conditions was higher than that of the general population. Also, several factors that could complicate service delivery were prevalent.Discussion:Acute illnesses present transmission risks within the shelter. Furthermore, chronic diseases must be managed and may complicate care of acute illnesses. Risks like activity limitation or substance abuse may complicate shelter operations. Defining the potential scope of the illness burden may be used to help public health departments better plan the services they must deliver to displaced populations.
Reasons Prehospital Personnel Do Not Administer Aspirin to All Patients Complaining of Chest Pain
Authors: Hooker Edmond A. , Benoit Taylor , Price Timothy G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:Aspirin is administered to patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), but prehospital providers do not administer aspirin to all patients with chest pain that could be secondary to an ACS.Objective:To identify reasons prehospital providers fail to administer aspirin to all patients complaining of chest pain.Methods:A convenience sample of prehospital providers was surveyed as they transported patients with a chief complaint of chest pain to the emergency department. The providers were asked if they had given aspirin, nitroglycerin, or oxygen, or if they utilized a monitor. If the medications had not been administered, the paramedic was asked about the reason. The patient's age and previous cardiac history also was recorded.Results:A total of 52 patients with chest pain who were transported were identified over eight weeks, and all of the providers agreed to participate in the study. Only 13 of the patients (25%) received aspirin. Reasons given for not administering aspirin to the other 39 patients included: (1) chest pain was not felt to be cardiac in 13 patients (33%); (2) 10 patients already had taken aspirin that day (26%); (3) the medical provider was a basic-level emergency medical technician (EMT)-Basic and could not administer aspirin to six patients (15%); (4) pain subsided prior to arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) in these three patients; and (5) other reasons were provided for the remaining seven patients.Conclusions:The most common reason that paramedics did not administer aspirin was the paramedic's belief that the chest pain was not of a cardiac nature. Another common reason for not giving aspirin was the inability of EMT-Basic providers to administer aspirin.
In the Path of Disasters: Psychosocial Issues for Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Authors: Amaratunga Carol A. , O'Sullivan Tracey L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe psychosocial impacts of disasters are profound. In recent years, there have been too many reminders of these impacts and the dire needs of the people involved. The purpose of this article is to present the following themes from the psychosocial literature on disasters and emergency management: (1) differential impacts of disasters according to gender and age; (2) prevention efforts to reduce racial discrimination, rape, and other forms of abuse; (3) readiness for cultural change toward prevention and preparedness; and (4) the need to involve aid beneficiaries as active partners in relief strategies, particularly during reconstruction of communities and critical systems. Psychosocial needs change throughout the disaster cycle, particularly as social support deteriorates over time. It is important to anticipate what psychosocial needs of the public, emergency responders, support staff, and volunteers might emerge, before advancing to the next stage of the disaster. Particular consideration needs to be directed toward differential impacts of disasters based on gender, age, and other vulnerabilities.
Disaster Health Education and Training: A Pilot Questionnaire to Understand Current Status
Authors: Murray Virginia , Clifford Janet , Seynaeve Geert , Fisher Judith M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn October 2004, a World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) Seminar was convened in Brusselsby the Education Committee to discuss Disaster Education and Training. During this seminar, it became apparent that there was no single tool available to assess knowledge, skills, and resources within this field. Therefore, a tool was administered to 50 of the delegates to assess if the tool would facilitate information-sharing and curriculum development in disaster health education.The WADEM Education Committee devised a reference scheme for disaster health training and education based on seven educational levels within a framework based on the Bradt model. A questionnaire was developed to answer questions regarding current practices in disaster health education and training, and the perceived barriers to creating an international system of standards, guidelines, and accreditation. The questionnaire was sent to all of the delegates and the responses were analyzed.The questionnaire was useful for information-sharing and curriculum development. Based on the respondents' experience, strategies were put forward for adopting better coordinated framework for disaster health education and training. This questionnaire should be updated and repeated annually within the WADEM. Wider use of the tool is recommended to help evaluate current educational resources in disaster health and in the wider educational field. It could facilitate the development and audit of current and future courses. An international system for education and training should lead to more efficient and coordinated health responses to disasters.
Prehospital Care of Tsunami Victims in Thailand: Description and Analysis
Authors: Schwartz Dagan , Goldberg Avishay , Ashkenasi Issac , Nakash Guy , Pelts Rami , Leiba Adi , Levi Yeheskel , Bar-Dayan Yaron 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroduction:On 26 December 2004 at 09:00 h, an earthquake of 9.0 magnitude (Richter scale) struck the area off of the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a Tsunami. As of 25 January 2005, 5,388 fatalities were confirmed, 3,120 people were reported missing, and 8,457 people were wounded in Thailand alone. Little information is available in the medical literature regarding the response and restructuring of the prehospital healthcare system in dealing with major natural disasters.Objective:The objective of the study was to analyze the prehospital medical response to the Tsunami in Thailand, and to identify possible ways of improving future preparedness and response.Methods:The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command Medical Department sent a research delegation to study the response of the Thai medical system to the 2004 earthquake and Tsunami disaster. The delegation met with Thai healthcare and military personnel, who provided medical care for and evacuated the Tsunami victims. The research instruments included questionnaires (open and closed questions), interviews, and a review of debriefing session reports held in the days following the Tsunami.Results:Beginning the day after the event, primary health care in the affected provinces was expanded and extended. This included: (1) strengthening existing primary care facilities with personnel and equipment; (2) enhancing communication and transportation capabilities; (3) erecting healthcare facilities in newly constructed evacuation centers; (4) deploying mobile, medical teams to make house calls to flood refugees in affected areas; and (5) deploying ambulance crews to the affected areas to search for survivors and provide primary care triage and transportation.Conclusion:The restructuring of the prehospital healthcare system was crucial for optimal management of the healthcare needs of Tsunami victims and for the reduction of the patient loads on secondary medical facilities. The disaster plan of a national healthcare system should include special consideration for the restructuring and reinforcement prehospital system.
Medical Response of a Physician and Two Nurses to the Mass-Casualty Event Resulting in the Phi Phi Islands from the Tsunami
Authors: Ammartyothin Surasak , Ashkenasi Issac , Schwartz Dagan , Leiba Adi , Nakash Guy , Pelts Rami , Goldberg Avishay , Bar-Dayan Yaron 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe Phi Phi Islands are isolated islands located about one hour by ship from the mainland in Krabi province of Thailand. There is a small medical facility where the director is the one physician that provides care to residents and tourists. This small medical facility faced an enormous mass casualty incident due to the 2004 Tsunami. The hospital was damaged by the Tsunami wave and was not functional, one crew member died and another was injured. Medical care and evacuation posed a unique problem in the Phi Phi Islands due to remoteness, limited medical resources, lack of effective communication with the main land and the large number of victims. An alternative medical facility was located in a nearby hotel. The crew included the medical director, two nurses, two additional staff members, 10 local volunteers, and hotel staff members. The medical crew had to treat 600–700 casualties in 24 hours. Most of the victims were mildly injured, but approximately 100 (15%) of the victims could not walk due to their injuries. The medical director, made a conscious decision to initially treat only circulation (“C”) problems, by con- trolling external hemorrhages. This decision was driven by the lack of equip- ment and personnel to deal with airway (“A”) and breathing (“B”) problems.In the post-disaster debriefing, the Phi Phi Island hospital physician noted five major lessons concerning disaster management in such extreme situation in a small facility located in a remote area: (1) effective resistant communica- tion facilities must be ensured; (2) clear, simple “evacuation plans” should be made in advance; (3) plans should be made to ensure automatic reinforcement of remote areas with evacuation vehicles, medical equipment and medical personnel; (4) efficient cooperation with medical volunteers must be planned and drilled; and (5) every team member of such a hospital must participate in an educational program and periodic drills should be done to improve the dis- aster and emergency medicine capabilities.This case report is an example for caregivers all over the world, of an amazing lesson of leadership and courage.