Operation Unified Response: 3 phases of disaster monitoring in Haiti
Thursday, 28. June 2012
The children were a group that has posed a challenge, in the disaster, said Dr. Safford. Most pediatric patients who require orthopedic care including limb injuries and pelvic . On average, patients returned to the operating room for up to eight times for wound care and wash-out.5 % of cases, with 40 arriving with one hundred members already amputated. Eight children were born aboard the ship, including two premature infants. Pediatric hospitalizations missed the first five days, with an average of 21.3 a day, then reduced to 5, for 2 days.As a result of data collected during Operation Unified Response – the largest gathering to date in the care of pediatric surgery of children in an earthquake – the researchers recommend three-phase medical response to the catastrophe that has not been described previously. The first phase focuses on triage of patients who need life-and limb-saving care. The second step is to take care of patients who were able to survive the first few days without medical care. At this point, general and plastic surgeons can help in the management of complex wounds and rescue attempt extremity. Finally, phase three is the shift from disaster response to a humanitarian response, to which all medical specialties and staff can help develop the health and future of the population
In January, within 24 hours of the worst earthquake in more than 200 years, the United States Naval Ship Comfort was deployed to Haiti. With a staff of over 800 doctors, nurses and auxiliary personnel, the ship was converted into a hospital full of mobile computing over 931 severely injured patients, 35 % were children.
A pediatric medical response to a major disaster should focus on three consecutive missions: protection of life and limb, continuing care, and, finally, humanitarian aid, according to a study presented Sunday, Oct.
3, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco.