scholarly journals Enabling Factors, Hindrances, and Self-perceived Level of Preparedness of Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Responders

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilton Y. Lam ◽  
Carlos Primero D. Gundran ◽  
Jaifred Christian F. Lopez ◽  
Emelia B. Santamaria ◽  
Anna Cristina A. Tuazon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Nominal Group Technique ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
The Government

Background. Despite the implementation of policies related to disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines, the response after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 was hampered by operational challenges. Objective. The purpose of this study was to document disaster response experiences of Typhoon Haiyan from field level emergency medical service (EMS) responders, a key component of the disaster response, specifically the enabling factors and hindrances to disaster medical response activities, including their self-perceived level of preparedness in these activities. Methods. In this mixed-methods study, 52 respondents identified enabling factors and hindrances to their disaster response and their corresponding self-perceived level of preparedness. In a subsequent focus group discussion, the researchers used the nominal group technique to process the respondents’ experiences. Results. The respondents identified factors that enabled or hindered their response activities such as coordination, stress debriefing, infrastructure, and preparedness. Furthermore, an average of 33% of the respondents said they were adequately prepared to deliver the necessary medical services during the disaster response, thus validating previous studies on preparedness and disaster response operations. Conclusion. The government should critically examine its cluster approach to disaster response and consider an integrated, inclusive, and proactive approach in disaster planning.

Medical Response to the Tianjin Explosions: Lessons Learned

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Jun Zhang ◽  
Tian-Bing Wang ◽  
Da Fan ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Bao-Guo Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Mass Casualty Event ◽  
The Government

AbstractBackgroundOn August 12, 2015, a hazardous chemical explosion occurred in the Tianjin Port of China. The explosions resulted in 165 deaths, 8 missing people, injuries to thousands of people. We present the responses of emergency medical services and hospitals to the explosions and summarize the lessons that can be learned.MethodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of the responses of emergency medical services and hospitals to the Tianjin explosions. Data on injuries, outcomes, and patient flow were obtained from the government and the hospitals.ResultsA total of 46 ambulances and 143 prehospital care professionals were dispatched to the scene, and 198 wounded were transferred to hospitals by ambulance. More than 4000 wounded casualties surged into hospitals, and 798 wounded were admitted. Both emergency medical services and hospitals were quick and successful in the early stage of the explosions. The strategy of 4 centralizations (4Cs) for medical services management in a mass casualty event was successfully applied.ConclusionsThe risk of accidental events has increased in recent years. We should take advantage of the lessons learned from the explosions and apply these in future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 411–414)

scholarly journals Medical Needs Documented by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Responders to Areas Affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Implications on Disaster Response Policy

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Primero D. Gundran ◽  
Hilton Y. Lam ◽  
Jaifred Christian F. Lopez ◽  
Emelia B. Santamaria ◽  
Anna Cristina A. Tuazon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Information Management System ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Utstein Style ◽  
Triage Classification

Background. Despite existing disaster preparedness policies in the Philippines, there has not been any validated assessment of the quality of disaster medical response, which would require reliable aggregate data on patient diagnoses and management. Objective. This mixed-methods study documented the diagnoses, triage classification and case management of patients seen by Philippine EMS groups who responded to the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines in November and December 2013, as well as difficulties associated in gathering these data, using the Utstein-style Template for Uniform Data Reporting of Acute Medical Response in Disasters as framework. Methods. Three hundred (300) individuals vetted by EMS organizations were invited to answer a survey modeled after the Utstein-style template, and submit tallies of patients seen. Out of 52 responses received, policy recommendations were subsequently generated on concerns assessed by the template using the nominal group technique. Results. The submitted data yielded a total of 41,202 patients with information on age, sex, and diagnosis; 19,193 with triage classification; and 27,523 with information on case management. The focus group discussion underlined the absence of a standard communication and information management system. Participants recommended establishing such a system, and highlighted the role of the Department of Health – Health Emergency Management Bureau in coordinating disaster medical response efforts and information management. Conclusion. This study underlines the importance of effective communication, and multisectoral coordination, to generate reliable data and thus, facilitate resource allocation for disaster medical response.

The 1994 Northridge Earthquake Disaster Response: The Local Emergency Medical Services Agency Experience

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Stratton ◽  
Virginia Price Hastings ◽  
Darlene Isbell ◽  
John Celentano ◽  
Miguel Ascarrunz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Northridge Earthquake ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
1994 Northridge Earthquake

AbstractIntroduction:This paper describes the 1994 Northridge earthquake experience of the local emergency medical services (EMS) agency. Discussed are means that should improve future local agency disaster responses.Methods:Data reported are descriptive and were collected from multiple independent sources, and can be reviewed publicly and confirmed. Validated data collected during the disaster by the Local EMS Agency also are reported.Results:The experience of the Los Angeles County EMS Agency was similar to that of earthquake disasters previously reported. Communication systems, water, food, shelter, sanitation means, power sources, and medical supplies were resources needed early in the disaster. Urban Search and Rescue Teams and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams were important elements in the response to the Northridge earthquake. The acute phase of the disaster ended within 48 to 72 hours and public health then became the predominant health-care issue. Locating community food and water supplies near shelters, providing transportation to medical care, and public-health visits to shelter locations helped prevent the development of long-term park encampments. An incident command system for the field, hospitals, and government responders was necessary for an organized response to the disaster.Conclusion:Disaster preparedness, multiple forms of reliable communication, rapid mobilization of resources, and knowledge of available state and federal resources are necessary for a disaster response by a local EMS agency.

scholarly journals Identifying strategies to promote team science in dissemination and implementation research

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Aarons ◽  
Kendal Reeder ◽  
Christopher J. Miller ◽  
Nicole A. Stadnick
Keyword(s):  
Small Group ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Nominal Group Technique ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Team Science ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Health Innovations ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation Research

AbstractIntroduction:Scientific endeavors are increasingly carried out by teams of scientists. While there is growing literature on factors associated with effective science teams, little is known about processes that facilitate the success of dissemination and implementation (D&I) teams studying the uptake of healthcare innovations. This study aimed to identify strategies used by D&I scientists to promote team science.Methods:Using a nominal group technique, a sample of 27 D&I scholars responded to the question, “What strategies have you or others used to promote team science?” Participants were asked to individually respond and then discuss within a small group to determine the group’s top three strategies. Through a facilitated consensus discussion with the full sample, a rank-ordered list of three strategies was determined.Results:A total of 126 individual responses (M = 9; SD = 4.88) were submitted. Through small group discussion, six groups ranked their top three strategies to promote team science. The final ranked list of strategies determined by the full sample included: (1) developing and maintaining clear expectations, (2) promoting and modeling effective communication, and (3) establishing shared goals and a mission of the work to be accomplished.Conclusions:Because of its goal of translating knowledge to practice, D&I research necessitates the use of team science. The top strategies are in line with those found to be effective for teams in other fields and hold promise for improving D&I team cohesion and innovation, which may ultimately accelerate the translation of health innovations and the improvement of care quality and outcomes.

Optimizing Routine and Disaster Prehospital Care Through Improved Emergency Medical Services Oversight

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Mahshid Abir ◽  
Jane Forman ◽  
Rekar K. Taymour ◽  
Christina Brent ◽  
Brahmajee K. Nallamothu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify modifiers of emergency medical services (EMS) oversight quality, including facilitators and barriers, and inform best practices and policy related to EMS oversight and system performance. Methods: We used a qualitative design, including 4 focus groups and 10 in-depth, 1-on-1 interviews. Primary data were collected from EMS stakeholders in Michigan from June to July 2016. Qualitative data were analyzed using the rapid assessment technique. Results: Emergent themes included organizational structure, oversight and stakeholder leadership, interorganizational communication and relationships, competition or collaboration among MCA stakeholders, quality improvement practices, resources, and needs specific to rural communities. Conclusions: EMS is a critical component of disaster response. This study revealed salient themes and modifiers, including facilitators and barriers, of EMS oversight quality. These findings were evaluated in the context of current evidence and informed state policy to improve the quality of EMS oversight and prehospital care for both routine and disaster settings. Some were particular to geographic regions and communities, whereas others were generalizable.

scholarly journals Working with people with personality disorder: utilising service users' views

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley Barlow ◽  
Stephen Miller ◽  
Kingsley Norton
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Nominal Group Technique ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Further Training ◽  
Modified Nominal Group Technique ◽  
Clinical Interactions

Aims and MethodTo ascertain the views of people with personality disorder on their clinical interactions with professionals, to identify potential solutions to problematic interactions and to compile guidelines on how professionals could improve their interactions with these service users. Qualitative methodology was employed, comprising a modified nominal group technique with two iterative groups and ranking by importance the issues and themes raised.ResultsThere were 13 service users from three separate personality disorder services who actively participated in a group discussion and iterative process. Collectively they indicated considerable areas of deficiency in the quality of their interaction and communication with professionals. These deficits were defined clearly enough to allow the construction of guidelines aimed at preventing or remedying such deficiencies.ConclusionsThe contribution of those people with personality disorder who took part in this study was sufficiently thoughtful to allow the development of guidelines that might help staff improve their interactions with such service users. From these guidelines, further training tools are being developed, which will be evaluated in the future. However, because not all those approached chose to participate, the views expressed might not be representative of this group as a whole.

Survey of Iowa Emergency Medical Services on the Effects of the 1993 Floods

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley E. Chartoff ◽  
Joann M. Gren
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Missouri River ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
First Response ◽  
Service Areas ◽  
The Government ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

AbstractIntroduction:From June through August 1993, extensive flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri River basins resulted in 50 deaths and 12 billion dollars [U.S.] in damages in nine Midwestern states. In Iowa (1990 population 2,777,000), the government declared all 99 counties Federal Disaster Areas. This study examines how this event impacted local emergency medical services (EMS).Methods:All 797 registered prehospital ambulance, rescue, and first-response companies in Iowa received survey questionnaires. Two follow-up mailings were provided for non-responders.Results:A total of 468 EMS companies (59%) returned completed questionnaires. The geographic distribution ofresponders and non-responders was similar. Of the companies responding, 132 (28%) reported an impact on their operations from the flood disaster. The most frequently reported operational changes included the use of non-traditional vehicles, providing aid to regions outside usual service areas, and involvement in non-medical rescue operations.Conclusion:A major flood provides unique challenges for emergency medical services. Cross-sectional surveys can identify areas of improvement for prehospital systems located in flood-prone areas. Results from this study provide a basis for constructing a more refined instrument to study future flood disasters.

Privatization and Emergency Medical Services

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan G. Reissman
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
The Government

AbstractIntroduction:Osborne and Gaebler's Reinventing Government has sparked discussion amongst elected officials, civil servants, the media, and the general public regarding advantages of privatizing government services. Its support stems from an effort to provide services to municipalities while reducing taxpayer expenditure. Many echo the sentiment of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, who said, “It is not government's obligation to provide services, but to see that they're provided.” Even in the area of public safety, privatization has found a “market.”In many localities, privatizing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a popular and successful method for providing ambulance services. Privately owned ambulance services staff and respond to medical emergencies in a given community as part of the 9–1–1 emergency response system. Regulations for acceptable response times, equipment, and other essential components of EMS systems are specified by contract. This allows the municipality oversight of the service provided, but it does not provide the service directly. As will be discussed, this “contracting-out” model has many benefits.Privatizing EMS services is a decision based not only on cost-savings, but on accountability. A thorough evaluation must be utilized in the selection process. Issues of efficiency, effectiveness, quality, customer service, responsiveness, and equity must be considered by the government, in addition to cost of service.The uncertain future of health care in the United States has led those in EMS to look beyond the field's internal market to explore additional opportunities for expanding and redefining its roles beyond emergency care. It is important, however, to consider how emergency medical care, the original role of EMS, can be best delivered. Responding to emergencies is not just one of the functions involved in this field, it is the principal function from which public perception of EMS is formed, and from which support for entering other markets can be fostered.The purpose of this paper is to present several important concepts and considerations that public officials, medical directors, and the public must be aware of when contemplating the possibility of privatizing their Emergency Medical Services. A review of the general concepts of privatization and issues of accountability will be presented, referencing policy experts, followed by an examination of how advocates of privatization might see these issues as they relate to providing EMS. The conclusion will present prescriptions for both municipal and commercial ambulance providers.

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