Interpretation of disaster response plans in the neonatal intensive care unit / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The disaster response plans in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was endorsed by the Group of Pedia-tric Disaster, Pediatric Society, Chinese Medical Association and the Pediatrics Committee, Medical Association of Chinese People′s Liberation Army in 2017.This article is designed to interpret these plans.Disaster contingency plans need to be developed in advance to serve as principles and guidelines for the provision of medical assistance by medical institutions in disaster conditions.The implementation of disaster rescue is a systematic project, including meeting various conditions of disaster rescue, ensuring the implementation of medical treatment measures, establishing efficient transport/evacuation mechanism and family members′ participation in disaster rescue.In the process of disaster rescue, the solution of ethical problems should be paid attention.In post-disaster reconstruction process, attention should be paid to the psychological counseling of the newborn′s family members and medical staffs.NICU medical staffs need to improve their disaster response capacity through continuous learning and exercises.

Interpretation of disaster response plans in the neonatal intensive care unit / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The disaster response plans in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was endorsed by the Group of Pedia-tric Disaster,Pediatric Society,Chinese Medical Association and the Pediatrics Committee,Medical Association of Chinese People's Liberation Army in 2017.This article is designed to interpret these plans.Disaster contingency plans need to be developed in advance to serve as principles and guidelines for the provision of medical assistance by medical institutions in disaster conditions.The implementation of disaster rescue is a systematic project,including meeting various conditions of disaster rescue,ensuring the implementation of medical treatment measures,establishing efficient transport/evacuation mechanism and family members' participation in disaster rescue.In the process of disaster rescue,the solution of ethical problems should be paid attention.In post-disaster reconstruction process,attention should be paid to the psychological counseling of the newborn's family members and medical staffs.NICU medical staffs need to improve their disaster response capacity through continuous learning and exercises.

Vector-control response in a post-flood disaster setting, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 2014

PROBLEM: The close quartering and exposed living conditions in evacuation centres and the potential increase in vector density after flooding in Solomon Islands resulted in an increased risk of exposure for the occupants to vectorborne diseases. CONTEXT: In April 2014, Solomon Islands experienced a flash flooding event that affected many areas and displaced a large number of people. In the capital, Honiara, nearly 10 000 people were housed in emergency evacuation centres at the peak of the post-flood emergency. At the time of the floods, the number of dengue cases was increasing, following a record outbreak in 2013. ACTION: The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme with the assistance of the World Health Organization implemented an emergency vector-control response plan to provide protection to the at-risk populations in the evacuation centres. The National Surveillance Unit also activated an early warning disease surveillance system to monitor communicable diseases, including dengue and malaria. OUTCOME: Timely and strategic application of the emergency interventions probably prevented an increase in dengue and malaria cases in the affected areas. DISCUSSION: Rapid and appropriate precautionary vector-control measures applied in a post-natural disaster setting can prevent and mitigate vectorborne disease incidences. Collecting vector surveillance data allows better analysis of vector-control operations’ effectiveness.

Is registration of foreign medical teams needed for disaster response? Findings from the response to Typhoon Haiyan

We conducted a descriptive study on the deployment of all FMTs to Haiyan-affected areas in the Philippines from 8 November 2013 to 30 June 2014. An FMT coordinating body was established at the national level which comprised representatives from the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in the Philippines. This team disseminated the new registration form to all FMTs that had contacted the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, WHO Representative Office in the Philippines and the DOH from 10 November (two days after the typhoon made landfall). All FMTs were required to register regardless of their location inside or outside the Philippines at the time.

Koshigaya City's response to damage caused by the tornado on 2nd September 2013 / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

This study examines the local government's response to tornadoes, and the results of this study can be applicable to future tornado responses. Oral interviews were conducted at 2 : 00 pm on 23rd October 2013 at the Koshigaya City Municipal Office. The questions mainly concerned challenges in support for tornado victims. The results of the interviews show that reporting from media was prevalent and responses from the city may have been insufficient. The study concludes that in past tornado disasters, information from the municipality was critical.

Experience with a Simulation Drill for Novel Influenza A (H1N1) / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: It is important that hospitals conduct disaster drills to ensure prompt response in case of a pandemic and thereby prevent a biological disaster. METHODS: In a university hospital of Seoul, a drill was arranged by the members of the drill preparation team who were a part of the response team for infection control of novel influenza A (H1N1). The drill preparation team designed the scenario for the drill, made plans to resolve the potential problems that could occur during that scenario, and organized a survey team and a survey methodology. The scenario consisted of 2 modules: (1) for an intensive care unit and (2) for an emergency care center. The surveyors and field participants were evaluated after the drill exercise. RESULTS: This drill was conducted to improve the response to outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The drill event showed that the communication among the members responsible for the infection control was effective. However, the drill revealed certain drawbacks in the process; this drawbacks involved availability of adequate quarantine space, education on using personal protective equipments, assignment of medical and nonmedical staff, management of visitors, and installment of air-conditioners, heaters, and ventilation units in the areas with H1N1 outbreak. CONCLUSION: This drill helped to improve the process of infection control and overcome the drawbacks in the current process, and thereby helped in achieving positive outcome during the actual pandemic situation when the number of hospital visits and admissions because of H1N1 pandemic had rapidly increased. Although disaster plans and drills are not actively performed, the drill for infection control is essential because the risk for an outbreak of a new infectious disease is increasing.