RESUMO
Disasters and humanitarian emergencies due to natural or human origins result in severe and often prolonged suffering of the affected population. Midwives have a role to play in providing assistance because women and their infants experiencing such crises have unique vulnerabilities and needs. This article introduces midwives and other women's health care practitioners to international humanitarian emergency response efforts and describes preparation and training activities they can undertake to get ready to volunteer with an international health aid agency. Various clinical realities and challenges are discussed, including recommended priorities for providing reproductive health care in disaster zones. Common ethical dilemmas in crisis health care settings are also reviewed. By arriving in the field well prepared to participate and collaborate, midwives can make substantial contributions to the safety, health, and comfort of women and their families who have experienced a natural disaster, armed conflict, or disease epidemic.
Assuntos
Desastres , Emergências , Cooperação Internacional , Tocologia , Enfermeiros Obstétricos , Socorro em Desastres , Saúde da Mulher , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , VoluntáriosRESUMO
Nurses play a vital role in providing care to mothers and infants during a disaster, yet few are fully prepared for the challenges they will encounter under extreme conditions. The ability to provide the best possible care for families begins with understanding the perinatal issues in relation to each phase of the disaster management process. This article reviews the hospital and perinatal nursing role in the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disaster management.
Assuntos
Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Medicina de Emergência/organização & administração , Enfermagem Neonatal/organização & administração , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/organização & administração , Assistência Perinatal/organização & administração , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial/organização & administração , Competência Clínica , Humanos , Relações Interprofissionais , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Emergencies that challenge the infrastructure of the current health care system require a shift in the standard of usual practice. Pregnant women and their newborns are intimately linked special populations that require continued care despite the community circumstances. Pre-event planning with community partners can generate a safer alternative for providing care during a public health emergency. Lessons learned from international and United States public health emergencies have resulted in a better understanding of the essentials of care and the development of resources to guide planning for these populations.
