bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mortality from Landmines and Explosive Hazards: Findings from a Global Epidemiological Analysis
Authors: Pizzino Stacey , Waller Michael , Tippett Vivienne , Durham Jo 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:Explosive hazards like landmines are known to contaminate over sixty countries and continue to threaten the health of affected communities across generations. The current study is the first to consider the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war by drawing on global casualty data to determine mortality patterns.Method:This study is a retrospective analysis of secondary multi-source data on over 100,000 explosive hazard casualties from 17 low and middle income conflict-affected countries. This data was collected from mine action centers, international non-governmental organizations, and international bodies (e.g., United Nations), and include surveillance data, retrospective and prospective survey, and data collected through organizational operations.Results:The global case fatality rate was 38.8 deaths per 100 casualties. Males represented 87.4% (n = 34,642) of those killed, however females had higher odds of death when involved in an explosive incident (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.24 – 1.34, p < 0.01). Adults experienced higher odds of death compared to children (OR = 1.60 95% CI: 1.55 – 1.64, p < 0.01). Case fatality ranged between countries with Lao PDR, Angola and Ukraine the countries with the highest proportion of deaths. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ERW had higher odds of death compared to antipersonnel landmines (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.67 – 1.91, p < 0.01; OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.50 – 1.60, p < 0.01).Conclusion:Mortality from landmines and other explosive hazards remains a public health issue in conflict impacted countries. This study addresses the lacunae of global data for explosive hazard casualties and provides an understanding of how fatal injury is endured. Adult males represent the most deaths globally, however case fatality ranges across conflicts. ERW and IED had the highest risk of death. These findings underscore the need for a global health response and strengthen advocacy measures for conflict affected communities as well as weapons prohibition campaigns.
Implementing Crisis Standards of Care in the Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review
Authors: Sellers David , Crilly Julia , Hughes Lynda , Ranse Jamie 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:Disasters have the potential to cause a surge of patients, some of which may require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). Due to the high resource requirements of ICUs, normal standards of care may need to be altered to treat more people with limited resources, a care model referred to as crisis standards of care (CSC). The pragmatic implementation of CSC in ICUs due to patient surges from disasters has not been well explored in the literature.Method:This scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs institute methodology for scoping reviews searched medical databases including CINHAL, PubMed, ProQuest and SCOPUS. Articles were included if they reflected on the actual implementation of CSC delivered in ICU as a result of a patient surge from a disaster. Quantitative data was extracted into tables and qualitative content was thematically analyzed.Results:A total of 17 papers were included in the review. The disaster event that dominated the results was COVID-19. Most papers relayed subjective accounts of how care models were impacted by patient surges. Common themes included the repurposing of other clinical areas to accommodate ICU patients, resource shortages (particularly ventilators) and staff shortages. Moral strain was felt when processes such as palliation and treatment modality were altered due to resource restrictions.Conclusion:This review highlights the dearth of high-quality research in implementing CSC in ICUs. Understanding the pragmatic experiences of CSC shows not only the logistical insufficiencies that have been experienced, but the moral and clinical repercussions that these insufficiencies have caused. Inadequate preparation for future disasters, particularly short notice disasters, may lead to further implementation of CSC resulting in poorer outcomes for patients and detrimental impacts on healthcare workers. More research into the practical application of CSC in ICU may help mitigate the impact of patient surges from disasters.
Women are More Infected and Seek Care Faster but are Less Severely Ill: Gender Gaps in Covid-19 Morbidity and Mortality During Two Years of a Pandemic in Israel
Authors: Kaim Arielle , Saban Mor 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:In the context of COVID-19 outcomes, global data has deduced a gender bias towards severe disease among males. The aim of this study is to compare morbidity and mortality during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in female and male patients with COVID-19, as well as to assess length of stay, health seeking behavior time after positive diagnosis, and vaccination differences.Method:A retrospective-archive study was conducted in Israel from March 1st (patient zero cases) to March 1st, 2022 (two consecutive years). Data were obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health's (MOH) open COVID-19 database.Results:The findings indicate female infections are 1.12 times more likely, across almost all age groups, apart from the youngest (0-19) age groups. Despite this, the relative risk of severe illness, intubation and mortality is higher among men. In addition, our findings indicate that the mean number of days taken by unvaccinated men from positive diagnosis to hospital admission was greater than among unvaccinated women among the deceased population.Conclusion:Targeted approaches including risk communication which take into consideration sex and gender and the intersecting factors are necessary to engage in the fight against COVID-19 for ensuring the most effective and equitable pandemic response.
Emergency Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Preparedness and Willingness to Work during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Sultan Mohammed , Sørensen Jarle Løwe , Carlström Eric , Mortelmans Luc , Khorram-Manesh Amir 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:This study evaluates the perceptions of preparedness and willingness to work during disasters and public health emergencies among 213 healthcare workers from 10 ministries of health hospitals in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, which is exposed to the risk of disasters such as flash floods in wadis, fires, sandstorms, armed conflicts at the border and ongoing waves of COVID-19 pandemic.Method:This study employed a quantitative research design by using a survey (Fight or Flight).Results:The results showed that participants' willingness to work unconditionally during disasters and emergencies varied based on the type of condition: natural disasters (61.97%), seasonal influenza pandemic (52.58%), smallpox pandemic (47.89%), SARS/COVID-19 pandemic (43.56%), special flu pandemic (36.15%), mass shooting (37.56%), chemical incident and bombing threats (31.92%), biological events (28.17%), Ebola outbreaks (27.7%), and nuclear incident (24.88%).Conclusion:Among several factors that determine healthcare workers’ willingness to work during disasters and public health emergencies, appropriate knowledge and skills to confidently manage an incident and the assurance of their families’ safety are two decisive factors. Although we could only find a significant correlation between education and willingness to work during emergencies, previous reports have confirmed a significant correlation between education, age, and years of experience and the perception of hazards and fear and consequently willingness to work under threatening circumstances. While unsuccessful management of disasters and emergencies may be the result of organizational shortcomings and resource scarcity, healthcare workers’ lack of knowledge, skills, and confidence and emotional distractions due to uncertainty about their own safety and that of their families may also play a significant role. Besides educational initiatives, which increase staff members’ confidence through knowledge acquisition and skill improvement, other measures, which guarantee their families’ safety and well-being during an emergency, should be established and implemented.
An Effective, Functional Approach to the Medical Operations Coordination Cell Structure
Authors: Noll Samantha , Little Charles , Ellen Steven , Nally Britta , Nielsen Brianna , Persson Caroline 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:Effectively responding to an incident across jurisdictions and coordinating with regional and jurisdictional partners is extremely challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the need to develop an operational structure which would serve as a regional medical operations hub. Although there has been guidance for using a Medical Operations Coordination Cell (MOCC), the concept can be difficult to apply and develop for the specific needs of varying regions and jurisdictional entities.Method:The Mountain Plains Regional Disaster Health Response System (MPRDHRS) has developed a Medical Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) to address gaps in response coordination efforts across the six state Region VIII within the United States. This MEOC has been developed to synchronize and integrate existing systems and processes to manage the medical components of a response. This center is similar to other MOCC concepts. However, in a novel approach, the MPRDHRS organized a response framework that focuses on functional roles based on the specific needs of our region with response coordination and personnel availability. This organization is similar to the use of emergency support functions in a jurisdictional EOC.Results:While developing the MEOC, a local Lean team collaborated with the MPRDHRS on continuous improvement initiatives. Drills, workshops, and exercises were used to test the MEOC and offer just in time training to MPRDHRS members to staff different positions within the MEOC. The MEOC was activated for an incident response within the MPRDHRS region with many lessons learned.Conclusion:The MEOC is a new, developing system augmented to meet the needs of regional partners. The system was developed using feedback and ideas from partners, process improvement experts, and internal team members. Additionally, lessons learned from incidents and applications of drills, workshops, and exercises will be shared to leverage within any organization.
Catastrophes and Cultures: Differing Approaches, Differing Responses
Authors: McLean Andrew 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes culture as “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.” Also noted are: “the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time.” Much has been written about the impact of culture on disaster risk and response. However, the issues are complex and multifactorial.Method:The author/presenter extensively reviewed current qualitative and quantitative literature regarding the impact of culture on disaster phases of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.Results:There are over a thousand publications on the issue of culture and disaster. While it is clear culture plays a role in the phases of disaster management, there continues to be debate as to the weight which should be placed on culture, or whether it can be seen as separate from other elements which significantly impact phases of disaster, including political, economic, technologic, geophysical, etc.Conclusion:With subject matter expertise based on lived and academic experience, the presenter plans to utilize a tabletop format to engage small groups in discussion of the above concepts as well as their experiences relating to catastrophes and cultures. The hope is that this format will spur further translational research interest.
Effectiveness and Use of Avalanche Airbags in Mortality Reduction Among Winter Recreationists
Authors: Di Stefano Lucia Laura , Libera Bianca Della , Rodi Paolo 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:The number of backcountry skiers and snowboarder surged in the last years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as ski resorts shut down. Inevitably, this led to an increase in avalanche-related injuries and death. As avalanche rescue device, avalanche airbags are increasingly becoming part of the standard winter mountaineering equipment.Method:This study provides a review of available data and an updated perspective on avalanche airbags, discussing their function and efficacy to reduce mortality and their limitations.Results:Causes of death in individuals caught by avalanches are multiple. Airbags seem to reduce mortality by decreasing chances of critical burial, the most determining risk factor. However, there is scarcity of reliable scientific research on the topic, and the way in which airbags reduce mortality and to what extent is still debated. Several elements seem to influence airbags efficacy, and their use still yields several limitations linked to manufacturing, proper use, users education, and risk compensation.Conclusion:Avalanche airbags seem to be an important tool in reducing mortality in backcountry expeditions. However, more research and standardized data collection is needed to fill the knowledge gap, mountain communities should promote adequate education of winter-recreationists on how to prevent and react to an avalanche, and on the correct use of airbags in combination with already available tools such as transceivers, probes and shovels, and manufacturing companies should ensure higher efficacy of the survival avalanche equipment for better prevention of burial, asphyxia, and trauma.
Prehospital Ketamine Administration for Trauma Patients Results in more ED Intubations
Authors: Aiken James 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:The use of ketamine in the prehospital setting has increased with EMS providers. Adverse effects of prehospital ketamine administration have not been well-established in the trauma population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pre-hospital ketamine on trauma patients presenting to a Level 1 trauma center. This study hypothesized that respiratory depression or oversedation from ketamine would increase the number of ED (Emergency Department) intubations.Method:A retrospective chart review of adult trauma patients receiving prehospital ketamine from 2016-2021 was performed. Patients with severe traumatic brain injuries were excluded. A 1:1 propensity match was performed of patients with similar demographics, injury severity, and mechanism of injury who did not receive prehospital ketamine. Univariate analyses were used to compare the groups. The primary outcome was the incidence of intubation in the Emergency Department.Results:Seventy-four trauma patients who received prehospital ketamine were identified. The average ketamine dose was 39 mg IV and 226.4 mg IM. 35.1% of patients received ketamine for pain while 29.7% received it for agitation. The ED intubation rate was higher in the prehospital ketamine group with 17.6% (n=13/74) requiring intubation as compared with 4.8% (n=3/63) who did not receive ketamine (p=0.03). Patients who required intubation in the ED had higher average doses of both IV/IO (37.7 +/- 4.8 mg vs. 55.0 +/- 24.2 mg) and IM ketamine (196.4 +/- 41.7 mg vs 290.0 +/- 41.3 mg).Conclusion:ED intubation rate was higher in the ketamine group. Patients that were intubated had received higher ketamine doses on average. Further studies are needed to understand and refine prehospital dosing and indication protocols to allow for more efficacious utilization of pre-hospital ketamine in trauma patients. A multicenter trial is ongoing.
Dedicated COVID-19 Hospitals in the State Security System of Poland
Authors: Goniewicz Krzysztof 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been rapidly developing globally since the beginning of 2020, has forced individual states to take many restrictive decisions aimed at stopping the pandemic and controlling the crisis situation. In Poland, the strategy of fighting the pandemic in the initial phase covered the entire country and was based primarily on preventive mechanisms to identify and quell the pandemic.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted incorporating media and a literature review. This retrospective analysis was performed using legal acts and press resources and other media reports to investigate every province of Poland.Results:This research describes one element of the state security system tasks, that of securing an appropriate number of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. The process focused first on establishing both the purpose and tasks of dedicated hospitals followed by discussions of the potential problems related to the functioning of these specialized facilities for patients infected with SARS-COV-2 virus. Primary attention was given to ensuring both the security of the crisis situation and the diligent monitoring of the current epidemicConclusion:In order to effectively use human and infrastructural resources, it was crucial to implement objective, unified methods of organization and management, as well as ongoing evaluation of the results of the conducted activity.
Medical Evacuation of Seriously Injured in Emergency Situations: Experience of EMERCOM of Russia and Directions of Development
Authors: Aleksanin Sergei , Rybnikov Viktor , Nesterenko Natalia , Yakirevich Igor 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:The steady increase in the number of natural and man-made disasters causes the need for urgent ambulance aircraft evacuation of seriously injured to the specialized federal medical institutions with appropriate equipment, advanced technologies and highly qualified personnel to provide specialized high-tech assistance to victims. The medical institutions can be located at a considerable distance from the place of emergency.Method:EMERCOM of Russia, staffed by highly qualified medical personnel, equipped with resuscitating medical modules in airplanes and helicopters (MMA and MMH), has been successfully carrying out medical evacuation of seriously injured in emergency situations to specialized medical institutions for many years (since 2008).Results:Based on the results of the use of the medical modules, it was proved that their use in mass ambulance aircraft evacuation is fully justified. During the flights, sparing transportation of the injured is provided, complete monitoring and compliance with the continuity of the treatment process. With the use of MMA and MMH, the quality of mass ambulance aircraft evacuation of seriously injured has significantly improved and the delivery time from the lesion to specialized hospitals has been reduced, as well as the lethality of victims.The analysis of the effectiveness of the use of medical modules showed that the use of modules during the ambulance aircraft evacuation of seriously injured reduces mortality at the pre-hospital stage by 3.3 times, at the hospital stage–by two times (p<0.05).Conclusion:EMERCOM of Russia introduced into the practice of aviation medical evacuation the medical technology using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the rescue of seriously injured.On the basis of NRCERM, a simulation center has been founded and equipped for the training of aviation medical teams, a training program has been developed for the medical personnel of EMERCOM of Russia participating in ambulance aircraft evacuation of victims in emergency situations.
Characteristics and Outcomes Among Patients with Acute Extremity Wounds Due to Gunshots Versus Bomb Blasts – A Prospective Cohort Analysis from Two Civilian Hospitals in Iraq and Jordan
Authors: Älgå Andreas , Haque Ghazal , Haweizy Rawand , Bashaireh Khaldoon , Malmstedt Jonas 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:Gunshots and bomb blasts are important causes of injury within conflict zones and extremities are frequently affected. There is a paucity of research on the characteristics and outcomes among civilians with conflict-related extremity injuries.Method:We performed a prospective cohort analysis utilizing data collected during a randomized trial at two civilian hospitals in Jordan and Iraq between 2015 and 2019. Adult patients who presented within 72 hours of sustaining an extremity injury requiring surgical care were included. We used mechanism of injury (gunshot versus bomb blast) as the exposure and wound closure by day five as the primary outcome measure.Results:The population was predominantly young men (n=163, 94% male, median age 29 years), injured by gunshots (61%) or bomb blasts (39%). Compared to the gunshot group, participants in the bomb blast group had more concomitant injuries (32/63 [51%] vs 11/100 [11%]; p<0.001), larger wounds (median area 100 cm2 [IQR 50–145] vs 53 cm2 [IQR 25–78]; p<0.001) and more frequent infections (16/63 [25%] vs 13/100 [13%]; p=0.04). Wound closure by day five was achieved in 25% (n=16/63) of the bomb blast group and 74% (n=74/100) of the gunshot group (p<0.001). This difference remained after controlling for confounding factors (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.6–13.7).Conclusion:In this first prospective cohort analysis of civilians with acute conflict-associated injuries, those with extremity wounds caused by bomb blasts had worse outcomes than those with gunshot wounds. Our findings may prove useful to inform treatment protocols for civilians in armed conflict settings.
Measuring Patient Hazard Exposure–The Missing Middle in Disaster Mortality Prevention
Authors: Finnigan Gerard 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:Interventions that mitigate hazard exposures offer the most efficient means of reducing disaster mortality. However, such interventions require an evidence base that describes the relationship between hazard exposure dynamics and health risk. Medical practitioners have long used patient specific hazard exposure assessments to determine acute and chronic disease risk and align medical treatment and care. This study compared patient-specific hazard exposure data collected from people seeking healthcare during seven different natural hazard disaster events and compared the minimum patient data set standards recommended at the time.Method:Patient data collection forms used by primary and secondary health care providers during emergency health and medical responses to seven natural hazard disasters were reviewed. Data fields relating to potential exposure characteristics were recorded and compared to patient data fields used by health services prior to the disaster event. A literature review of definitions of disaster ‘exposure’ adopted by UN disaster management agencies were compared with the health and medical sector.Results:Only the SARS-CoV-2 disaster consistently assessed and recorded details about patient exposure characteristics. Patient hazard exposure data was typically limited to the time of onset of symptoms and duration relative to hazard impact. Little qualitative or quantitative assessment of the magnitude of exposure to any hazard was included, or patient-environmental data. While variables of hazard and vulnerability were extensively studied, and discussed in scholarly and industry literature, the concept of exposure received comparably little attention.Conclusion:Building an evidence base to correlate hazard and environmental exposure characteristics with patient health effects must be prioritized, especially for cohorts vulnerable from physiological or co-morbid factors. Such advances can be made through simple inclusions in minimum patient dataset recommendations. Understanding hazard-exposure dynamics are vital for advancing emergency health responses toward early intervention and health protection from future hazards that threaten functioning of whole health systems.