Objective To compare the medical emergency rescue systems used during earthquakes in America, Japan, Russia and China; so as to provide reference material for the establishment and improvement of such a system in China. Methods We searched the official websites of China, America, Japan and Russia, WHO.int, CNKI, OVID, The Cochrane Library and other authoritative sources to collect information involving the medical emergency rescue systems used during earthquakes. The mechanism, legal management, preventive measures and performance of each country’s medical emergency rescue system were summarized and compared. Results Crisis management, integrated action and legal support were highly emphasized in America, Japan and Russia. America and Japan have performed well in implementing routine preventive measures. The organizational structure of the medical emergency rescue system in China was similar to that of the other countries, but its performance was not satisfactory due to insufficient financial support, poor management, inefficient operational mechanism and poor preventive measures. Conclusion There is an urgent need for China to reinforce its medical emergency rescue system. Different models should be taken into account because of the different regional situations in China.
Objective To analyze death causes and relevant factors in victims of Wenchuan earthquake．Methods Medical records of 27 dead patients admitted to W est China Hospital during the first 30 days after Wenchuan earthquake were analyzed retrospectively．Patient census data，diagnoses，dispositions，and prognoses were collected． Results A total of 2702 patients with earthquake related injuries were admitted to West China Hospital．The overall mortality rate was 1％(27／2702 patients)．The death were associated with age≥70．severe cerebral injuries and severe underlying illness．Mortality rate was highest in aged patients with comorbidities．Conclusions Insufficient pre-hospital treatment and inappropriate transfer procedure may contribute to the early death．Complicated with comorbidities is the leading cause of late death．Earlier involvement of intensivist in medical intervention in such a disaster is demanded．
Objective To investigate the amputation-related pain and quality of life (QoL) between the amputees with transfemoral amputation (TFA) and transtibial amputation (TTA) 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, and compare the effects of two different amputation level on the long-term functional rehabilitation of amputees. Methods A total of 305 amputees from Center of Comprehensive Service of Disabled of Deyang for the disabled 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake were selected for cross-sectional study from February to June 2018. Through face-to-face interview, the basic information of amputees was collected and the evaluation of Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) was completed. The amputees were divided into TFA group and TTA group according to the amputation level. Results A total of 53 amputees were included, including 27 in the TFA group and 26 in the TTA group. The PEQ scores showed that the prevalences of phantom limb sensation (96.3% vs. 65.4%; χ2=6.372, P=0.012) and phantom limb pain (92.6% vs. 69.2%; P=0.039) in the TFA group were significantly higher than those in the TTA group. There was no significant difference with regard to the intensity of amputation-related pain between the victims with TFA and TTA (P>0.05). However, the TFA group were more bothered by phantom limb sensation than the TTA group (52.9±24.1 vs. 35.9±26.7; t=2.108, P=0.042), there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in QoL between the TFA and TTA groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The phantom limb sensation, phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, non-amputated limb pain and back pain are still prevalent among the victims with TFA and TTA 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. The higher amputation level is associated with increased prevalence of phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain, as well as more bothersomeness of phantom limb sensation. The amputation level appeares to have no impact on the long-term QoL.
Baoxing airborne medical team of West China Hospital participated in the medical rescue in 2013 “4?20”Lushan earthquake. The medical team excellently fulfilled their rescue task for 1 week in the earthquake-struck areas where there was power and communication failure and lack of water and food supply. We found some experiences and problems in airbornemedical team assembly and member selection, which may provide quotable experiences for future disaster assistance and rescue teams.
ObjectiveTo analyze injury sites and radiologic features of 60 patients with severe earthquake trauma in Min-Zhang earthquake in 2013. MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical data of 60 patients with severe earthquake trauma who were sent to major hospitals in Lanzhou city within 7 days after the earthquake. The software of Excel was used to input and analyze clinical data. ResultsAmong 60 patients with severe earthquake trauma, there were 20 cases with single-site injury and 40 cases with multi-site injury, amounting to 120 injury sites. A total of 41 cases were injured in the limbs, involving 53 parts of fracture, of which, 11 cases were injured in the upper limbs (12 sites) and 34 cases in the lower limbs (41 sites). A total of 14 cases were injured in the skull (16 sites). 13 cases were injured in the spine involving a total of 14 vertebrae, 20 sites, of which, 10 cases were accompanied by injuries in the brain and spinal cord. A total of 17 cases were injured in the chest, of which 6 cases were accompanied by rib fracture, amounting to 27 sites. A total of 7 cases were accompanied by visceral injury, involving four sites of the abdomen. ConclusionMulti-site and multi-organ injuries are the most after the earthquake, of which, limb fracture is frequently-seen and abdominal injuries are rare. Imaging examination is very useful in screening injuries caused by the earthquake and in treatment based on categorization.
During the medical rescue after Wenchuan earthquake, the Department of Appliances and Materials of West China Hospital took prompt action to ensure the regular operation of hospital devices and facilities. Meanwhile, owing to its specialized superiority of material and appliance purchase as well as the optimized processes for material and appliance supply, the hospital ensured the effective supply of disaster relief materials and efficiently managed the consumption of donated materials. From May 12 to 30, a total of 2 200 000 pieces of medical materials (total value RMB 3 770 000 Yuan) and 220 sets of medical appliance (total value RMB 9 000 000 Yuan) were purchased as part of the immediate medical rescue response to the earthquake.
objective To analyze clinical features and treatment of patients with late-onset injuries in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake．Methods Clinical data of three patients with late-onset injuries were analyzed retrospectively．Results The first patient was compromised with late-onset traumatic diaphragmatic hernia complicated with shock．The second and third patients were suffered from late—onset traumatic hepatic rupture．After prompt surgery operation，the first and second subjects survived．Unfortunately，the third patient died of severe abdominal infection despite successful operation .Conclusion Late-onset organ injuries must be recognized and treated promptl
ObjectiveTo construct a health in all policies (HiAP) evaluation index system for earthquake-stricken areas based on national health policies.MethodsFrom April to December 2020, this study combined the methods of comprehensive review of relevant literature, on the foundation of the evaluation indicators pool was preliminarily constructed. The Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process were adopted to construct the evaluation indicators system in earthquake-stricken areas and analyzed the weights of indicators.ResultsA total of 5 first-level indicators (investment, action, short-term effect, medium-term effect, long-term effect), 15 second-level indicators, and 44 third-level indicators with satisfactory logical consistency of HiAP evaluation indicators system in earthquake-stricken areas had been constructed.ConclusionsThe HiAP evaluation indicators system constructed in this study can be used to comprehensively evaluate the implementation of HiAP earthquake-stricken areas.
Objective To investigate the mass casualty triage system and its application, to provide evidence and advice for its future standardized use. Method Based on the principles and methods of systematic reviews, we searched MEDLINE (1950 to 2008), The Cochrane library (Issue 2, 2008) and CBM (from establishment to May 2008) to identify papers written in English of Chinese which described mass casualty triage systems or triage systems specific to the aftermath of earthquakes. We extracted information on name, grades, criteria, main characteristics and application of each triage system from the papers involving mass casualty triage systems. We also extracted information on setting, personnel performing the triage, grades, and characteristics from those papers describing any specific triage system for earthquake. We compared the colour of tags, codes and other materials used in different triage systems. Result We included 38 English and 6 Chinese papers. For mass casualty triage systems, we identified 7 primary triage methods with 4 grades.Three of these had relevant application reports. There were 6 secondary triage methods with 3-5 grades, and none had relevant application reports. Four tag methods were identified. Seven papers, 2 of which were published in China, reported specific secondary triage methods for earthquakes. Conclusion Based on the current evidence, there is no universally accepted mass casualty triage system with documented reliability and validity. No triage system has been developed specifically for the wounded in earthquakes. There are large differences between the triage methods for earthquake and other mass casualty incidents. Future research should focus on the development of a reliable and valid mass casualty triage system, aimed at maximizing the capacity for medical rescue.
Objective To summarize our treatment experience for patients with chest injuries in “4•20” Lushan earthquake. Methods Medical records of 17 patients with chest injuries after 2013 Lushan earthquake who were admittedto the Department of Thoracic Surgery，West China Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of chest injuries was mainly confirmed by medical history，physical examination，X-ray and CT scan of the chest. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Among the 17 patients，there were 14 men and 3 women with their age of 57.3±16.1 years. Results There were 12 patients （70.6%）with crash injury of heavy objects，4 patients （23.5%） with fall injury and 1 patient with road traffic injury. Chest injuries were skin and soft tissue contusion in 17 patients （100%），rib fracturein 15 patients （88.2%） including 1 patient with abnormal respiratory movements，pulmonary contusion in 15 patients （88.2%），hemopneumothorax in 11 patients （64.7%），sternal fracture in 1 patient （5.9%） and bilateral pneumothorax with widespread subcutaneous emphysema in 1 patient （5.9%）. Thirteen patients （76.5%） had concomitant brain，abdominal，orthopedic or nerve injuries. One patient underwent left thoracotomy，clot removal and internal fixation of rib fractures for left coagulated hemothorax and left lower lobe atelectasis. All the 17 patients received timely and effective treatment and there was noin-hospital mortality. Conclusions Mechanisms of earthquake injuries are often complex，and patients often have multipleinjuries. The main types of chest injury are rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Tube thoracostomy is a simple andeffective treatment strategy for them. Satisfactory pain management and bronchoscopy procedure can effectively help patientswith removal of respiratory secretions and maintenance of airway patency.