Studies Reshape Gulf Region's Medical Planning For Natural Disasters
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, more than 27,000 residents were transferred 320 miles from the Louisiana Superdome to the Houston Astrodome for triage, temporary housing and medical treatment. From September 1 to September 16, 2005, emergency medical personnel treated more than 11,000 people with varying degrees of illness and injury, resulting from the disaster and from previous medical conditions that were untreatable in the days immediately following the evacuation. During this time, limited emergency medical personnel, contamination of supplies, and lack of appropriate medication, wound care materials and assistive devices caused significant impairment to patient mobility, mental health, treatment and rehabilitation.
Patients were treated for a variety of disabling medical conditions including musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, severe headaches, medication withdrawal, skin ulceration, bone fractures, bursitis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and amputations. Physiatrists and other physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) personnel, who participated in Katrina's relief efforts, address these concerns in two recent studies: "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Conditions in the Astrodome Clinic after Hurricane Katrina" and "Impairment and Disability in the Astrodome after Hurricane Katrina." All conclude that preparation and early intervention are critical in disaster relief.
In "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Conditions in the Astrodome Clinic after Hurricane Katrina," authors Faye Y. Chiou-Tan, M.D., Donna M. Bloodworth, M.D., Joseph S. Kass, M.D., Xiaoqi Li, M.S., Thomas F. Gavagan, M.D., Kenneth Mattox, and Diana H. Rintala, Ph.D. conducted more than 16 analyses during extensive chart review of all persons who sought medical treatment at the Houston Astrodome. From their research and personal experiences at the Astrodome Medical Clinic, the authors report that most PMR conditions presented within the first seven days of the clinic. Therefore, "future disaster planning should include PMR professionals as early responders" to assist with issues such as catheterization, wound care, diabetic pump maintenance, and patient transfers as well as the general physical and emotional needs of disaster victims.
In their article "Impairment and Disability in the Astrodome after Hurricane Katrina," authors Donna M. Bloodworth, M.D., C. George Kevorkian, M.D., Edith Rumblatt, M.D., and Faye Y. Chiou-Tan, M.D. explore the needs of disabled persons in large-scale emergencies or disasters. While it is difficult "to make the disabled population…more prepared or understand the logistics of evacuating them out of harm's way," they conclude it is imperative that patients and physicians are proactive in managing disaster. PMR personnel can help patients make a plan, stock up on supplies and write a brief medical history (including the names and dosages of all prescriptions) to carry in case of emergency. And, rehabilitation personnel can help coordinate better systems for patient communication, education, prescription and supply management, durable medical equipment distribution, medical treatment and counseling.
These two studies have significantly helped physicians along the Gulf Coast not only project patient profiles and PMR personnel needs, but also stock much needed medical supplies and assistive devices plus develop vendor relationships for donations in times of natural disasters. The ability to understand and prepare for physical medicine and rehabilitative needs before a disaster strikes will greatly improve patient triage, care, healing and rehabilitation in future relief efforts.
The full text of both articles will be published in the September 2007 issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Log onto http://www.AJPMR.com for more information or to peruse a trial issue.
About the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (http://www.AJPMR.com) focuses on the practice, research and educational aspects of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Monthly issues keep physiatrists up-to-date on the optimal functional restoration of patients with disabilities, physical treatment of neuromuscular impairments, the development of new rehabilitative technologies, and the use of electrodiagnostic studies. This well-established journal is the official scholarly publication of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP). For more information about physiatrists visit http://www.physiatry.org
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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Studii Reshape Golfului regiunii medicale planificarea pentru dezastrelor naturale - Studies Reshape Gulf Region's Medical Planning For Natural Disasters - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate