Disaster Management Fundamentals

Study Notes

Disaster Management

A disaster is an event that results in casualties that overwhelm the healthcare system in which the event occurs.

Types of Disasters

Natural disasters: earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, landslides
Human-made disasters: motor vehicular accidents, communal clashes, herdsmen attacks, oil spillage, suicide bombing

Hazard and Risk

Hazard: possibility of being open to injury or misfortune
Risk: probability of a hazard triggering a disaster

Disaster Management Components

Preparedness: measures taken before a disaster to reduce damage
Response: instant assistance to maintain life, improve health, and hold up morale
Recovery: helping people restore their lives and infrastructure

Disaster Management Plan

A planned and systematic approach to minimize the effect of disasters
Must be multi-sectoral, realistic, and easily adoptable
Clear roles and responsibilities for different agencies
Rehearsal and evaluation are essential

Hospital Disaster Plan

Prepared to reduce pressure on hospital management during a large number of casualties
Requires immediate activation to provide efficient care
Periodic mock drills to acquaint staff with the plan
Disaster SOP must be kept in the casualty department

Mitigation

Goal is to reduce the probability of a disaster occurring
Public education and preventive health measures can mitigate the effect of unavoidable disasters

Roles and Duties of a Doctor

Assist in all phases of disaster management
Public education
Maximize impact with given resources, triage

Mass Casualty

A mass casualty occurs when the health facility is unable to cope with the number and/or types of casualties
Triage is essential in mass casualty situations
Classifications in triage: immediate medical care, delayed care, not urgent or minor, and dead or near dead

Effects of Disaster

Increase demand for medical attention
Mass casualty
Population displacement
Strain on health services

Description

Test your understanding of disaster management, including the differences between hazards and disasters, mass casualty concepts, and the role of doctors in disaster situations. Learn about the components of disaster management and how to respond to natural and human-made disasters.