Aspects Of Emergency Response Research Articles

Using field hospital simulation to demonstrate changes in completion rates of a UK emergency medical team (EMT) medical record

ObjectivesThe UK EMT is committed to driving forward the World Health Organisation's (WHO) standards for emergency medical team (EMT) response to sudden onset disasters. Specifically UK EMT have worked on the documentation standards and have designated exercises to focus on this aspect of emergency response. MethodsFollowing previous testing and redevelopment, the UK EMT used a medical record during a 2-hour simulation exercise of phase one of a Type II field hospital. One of the main aims of the simulation was to identify any blocks and gaps in medical record use and to review user-friendliness of a single sheet record. Following from this a larger scale 3-day simulation was undertaken, one of the objectives was again to identify both improvements and remaining challenges in documentation practice following some further record redevelopment. ResultsRate of data capture on the initial single sheet record (which covers the WHO EMT minimum data set) was mostly improved using the redeveloped form when compared to an original static simulation. Screening for safeguarding and disability was definitely improved however remained low which may in part reflect the simulation environment and the way the form passes through the field hospital. For some parameters the first simulation rate of completion was less than 5% and increased more than 10-fold. Therefore either/both the redesign of the form and the emphasis on medical record training may be considered contributory factors. ConclusionEmphasis on medical records prior to deployment has permitted the UK EMT to redesign their basic single sheet in response to practitioner input. Subsequently ongoing improvement has been seen in the quality of documentation within the initial single sheet record and remaining deficits are known which permits training to specifically focus on them.

A comparison of underground coal mine emergency management in China and Australia

This paper introduces current practices on underground coal mine emergency management in China and Australia. From aspects of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR), methods, measures and technology applied in two countries on underground coal mine emergency management are compared. The influences of education, engineering and enforcement (3E) on accident prevention in both countries are analysed. Differences on legislations, emergency plans, organisation, equipment and exercises during emergency preparedness are enumerated as well as the reasons leading to these differences. On the aspect of emergency response, the incident classification, command structure, evacuation and aided rescue are compared. For emergency recovery, differences on incident report rules are emphatically compared. At last, advantages and challenges of China and Australia on underground coal mine emergency management are concluded. Third party emergency services, trigger action response plans (TARPs) and high potential incidents (HPIs) are three major advantages from which China could benefit.

Making collaboration work – developing boundary work and boundary awareness in emergency exercises

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how boundary work is carried out at the incident site during exercises with police, ambulance and rescue services, and how boundary awareness is developed based on this boundary work. Collaboration in emergency work is challenging on many levels. The unforeseen and temporary nature of incidents presents basic challenges. Another important challenge is boundaries between specialised and autonomous emergency service organisations. Knowledge on how exercises are performed to increase the individuals' and organisations' preparedness for future joint-response work is relatively limited.Design/methodology/approachEmpirically, full-scale exercises involving police, ambulance and rescue services and with repetition of practical scenarios and joint-reflection seminars are studied. Interview data with 26 exercise participants were analysed using thematic analysis. The analytic focus is on how boundaries are identified, negotiated and managed in the participants’ work.FindingsMuch of the work in the exercises was performed within distinct areas of expertise, in accordance with concrete routines, skills and responsibilities. Boundary work was often organised in the form of distribution of labour or creating chains of actions. The exercises shed light on challenges related to other aspects of emergency response, such as a lack of resources, diverging primary responsibilities, time-criticality and hazardous environments. The design allowed participants to explicate boundaries, to test and discuss alternative solutions and to visualise the effects of different solutions, as the scenarios were repeated.Originality/valueThe study found that the boundaries that were identified were often of institutional character, and were also related to the specific scenarios and to the actions taken in the activities. By integrating real-life experiences of collaborative work in the exercise, the exercise gained a certain meaning that was essential for the participants to develop boundary awareness.

Meteorological aspects of emergency response. Edited by Mark L. Kramer and William M. Porch. American Meteorological Society. Pp. 126. $40

Meteorological aspects of emergency response. Edited by Mark L. Kramer and William M. Porch. American Meteorological Society. Pp. 126. $40