Emergency preparedness for heat illness in China: A cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality rates from heat illness have increased due to a higher number of heatwaves. Effective urgent care of heat illness is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. However, few studies have examined the emergency preparedness measures required for treating such patients. METHODS: From December 23, 2019, to January 23, 2020, a content-validated instrument containing the Perceived Emergency Preparedness Scale for heat illness (heatPEPS) was administered to emergency nurses in China through WeChat. Some of these nurses were retested two weeks later. SPSS 26, IRTPRO 4.2, and NVivo 12 Plus were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In total, 46.4% (200/431) of the participants returned valid responses. With dichotomous scoring, a high score for heatPEPS (mean 7.29; SD 1.667) was elicited. The reduced 9-item heatPEPS had a perfect fit with the 2PL model (M2 = 27.24, p > 0.05; RMSEA = 0.01) and acceptable internal (α = 0.68) and test-rest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.56). Many participants (74%) were dissatisfied with their heat illness-related knowledge and skills, suggesting an area that could be improved for better emergency preparedness. CONCLUSION: Emergency departments appear to be well-prepared; however, this is subject to social desirability bias. The 9-item heatPEPS is a reliable and valid tool to measure emergency preparedness for heat illness.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Releases New Guidelines for Exertional Heat Illnesses: What School Nurses Need to Know.

Exertional heat illnesses (EHI) occur in various populations and settings. Within a school setting, there are student athletes who take part in physical activity where the risk of EHI is increased. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released an updated position statement on EHI in September of 2015. This article is a summary of the position statement. The sports medicine team, including school nurses and athletic trainers, provides quality health care to these physically active individuals. Thus, it is important for school nurses to understand the prevention, recognition, and treatment of EHI.

The impact of heat on morbidity and mortality.

With forecast trends predicting climate changes that will result in warmer weather globally, the potential for heat-related morbidities and mortality increases. Critical care nurses are uniquely poised to have an impact on the health care consequences of persons exposed to excessive ambient heat. The first step is a clearer understanding of ambient heat, heat conditions, and heat factors. This understanding combined with knowledge of persons at highest risk for heat-related mortality and morbidity can lead to interventions to ameliorate the prevalence and incidence of these incidents.

Heat-related illness: a hot topic in critical care.

With current predictions of climate change, the incidence of heat-related illnesses is projected to increase. Heat-related illnesses occur on a continuum from mild symptoms to fatalities. To prevent heat-related illnesses, nurses should have comprehension of persons at risk. Primary treatment of heat-related illness centers on cooling, but not overcooling, the patient. Heatstroke involves coagulopathies and cytokines, and can result in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction. Critical care nursing intervention requires more than effective cooling to support bodily processes that have been damaged or destroyed by the pathophysiology of heatstroke.

Heatwaves and their impact on people with alcohol, drug and mental health conditions: a discussion paper on clinical practice considerations.

AIM: This article discusses the clinical implications of adverse health outcomes derived during heatwaves for people with mental health disorders, substance misuse and those taking prescribed medications such as lithium, various neuroleptic and anticholinergic drugs. BACKGROUND: With climate change it is predicted that the incidence of prolonged periods of extreme heat will increase. Specific adverse health outcomes associated with high environmental temperatures include heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Those at increased risk for heat-related mortality are those with chronic health conditions, including those with mental health disorders and substance misuse. DATA SOURCES: Sources of evidence included and 'grey' literature published between 1985 and 2010, such as key texts, empirical research, public policies, training manuals and community information sheets on heat waves. DISCUSSION: Current clinical practice and clinical impact of heatwaves on those people with comorbidity is explored. This includes the physiological components of heat stress, heat regulation, and the impact of alcohol and other drugs; and, ramifications and professional practice issues for those with mental health conditions and those requiring mental health medications. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Client education covering modification of the environment and the use of client heat safety action plans. Secure, accessible stores of prescribed medication are recommended and emergency substance withdrawal kits could be made available. CONCLUSION: All nurses have a responsibility to increase the capability and resilience of their clients to manage their chronic health needs during a heatwave. At these times nurses need to give extra monitoring and assistance when clients lack the capacity or resources to protect themselves.

Using a Delphi approach to develop a strategy for A&E in defence nursing.

The Armed Forces has seen an increase in the number of operational deployments overseas and a greater demand for Accident and Emergency (A&E) trained nurses. This article describes a modified Delphi study used to contribute to the development of a strategy for emergency nursing in the Defence Nursing Services. Twenty-eight A&E specialists took part and the key issues raised were recruitment and retention, staff development, new roles, research priorities, increased internal recruitment of A&E nurses to meet operational demands, and the need for a structured career pathway to help retention. The most pressing areas requiring research were evaluation of the nurse practitioner role, clinical competencies and managing heat injuries in the operational setting. The modified Delphi study provided a valuable and detailed insight into the challenges and aspirations of the military A&E nursing cadre and has assisted in developing a strategy for emergency nursing.

The heat is on: protecting your patients from nature's silent killer.

Hot weather may be uncomfortable, but for many, it can be a killer. This article describes different types of heat-related illness, risk factors for heat stroke, and outlines targeted nursing interventions and critical environmental assessments. Nurses can use this information to identify at-risk patients and conduct patient and family teaching. Because home care and hospice nurses and other staff often work in severe heat, this knowledge is also important for personal health and safety.

Responding to summer emergencies.

Summer's arrival ushers in health hazards ranging from bee stings to lightning strikes. This article discusses preventive measures and provides first aid and ongoing care instructions for common summertime emergencies.

When nature turns up the heat.

Heat-related illness can present as prickly heat, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Can you spot the different types and provide the appropriate care? Can you offer advice on how to prevent these disorders in the first place? This article will allow you to answer Yes.