Medical emergencies preparation

Take-home message Further reading Resources for families Chapter 6S Medical emergencies Preparation Assessment Management... 

Has primary responsibility for public health and medical emergency planning, preparations and response to a naturally occurring outbreak from an emerging infectious disease and its own authority to declare a public health emergency. 

Pharmacists within the Army are also members of a bioterrorism readiness force that is prepared to respond to medical emergencies arising from the terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction. Many pharmacists within the armed services do not possess Pharm.D. or other advanced degrees, although there is a strong com-... 

Emergency action plans are especially necessary in laboratories. Plans should be prepared for response to situations such as fire, explosions, flooding, severe weather (tornadoes, hurricanes), earthquakes, medical emergencies, violent acts or threats of violence (e.g., bombs), and release of hazardous materials. Accidents at nearby locations such as adjacent laboratories and transportation facilities may affect the laboratory worker. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, the minimum elements of an emergency action plan include ... 

Each facility should prepare plans that address what to do in the event of either man-made or natural emergencies. These emergencies include such things as fires, power failure, severe weather, earthquakes, medical emergencies, shootings or other acts of violence, abductions, and CBRNE incidents. The plan should clearly define the chain of command and method of notification. Questions to consider include ... 

These systems are used to help track hazards corrective actions preventive maintenance systems emergency preparation and medical programs [2]. Refer to Figures 11-1 and 11-2 for an overview of how a hazard control system works. 

In an effort to be proactive, you identify hazards and involve employees in the identification of hazards to help prevent injuries. We must accept the reality that despite your best planning and prevention efforts, injuries can occur. It is how you manage the injury, if it happens, that matters. In such a case, you must be prepared to deal with medical emergencies. If you do not have a nurse on staff, then you have to be prepared to make other arrangements. First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) assistance should be available on every shift. This is the second option under the OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.151(b)) for workplaces that are not close to medical facilities OSHA has interpreted this rule to mean within a five-minute response time [1]. 

Expect to lead management in any medical emergency in CMHTs or psychiatric units. Preparation is essential find out which emergency drugs and equipment are available, remind yourself how to use them, and update your Immediate Life Support skills yearly. When called to an emergency ... 

Although there is a common belief that natural herbs do no harm, emergent cases reported that renal failure was associated with chronic use of certain herbal preparations. Another important issue is the interaction between herbs and Western medication. There is a tendency, from that assumption, to neglect the possible side effects induced by the combination of both medications. Drug-drug interactions are listed in the following examples. 

A recent survey demonstrated that one third of men choosing nonsurgical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia were using herbal preparations alone or in combination with prescription medications. There is emerging evidence that several plant extracts are well tolerated and provide at least short-term improvement in urologic symptoms and flow. 

Every operation is covered by a SOP. These procedures delineate the step by step process to be followed in conducting a hazardous operation. They identify and specify the safety equipment and clothing to be employed and the emergency procedures to be followed if an accident occurs. They identify the responsible individual for the operation and specify the number of operating personnel that can be present. The SOP is prepared by the operating personnel, reviewed by the laboratory director, reviewed by and co-approved by the Preventive Medical Activity when health hazards are involved, and approved by the MIRADCOM safety office. 

Thus, in the age of terrorism and emerging infectious diseases, it is most important to assure that medical providers become familiar with the symptoms of infectious diseases that they are not accustomed to seeing. At the same time, however, the medical community should also be included in preparing for other challenges involved in disaster response—including public... 

---