The following articles and online resources are intended to supplement the learner's understanding of emergency preparedness. The student/rotator will complete selected readings in areas of interest. Selected topics include general emergency preparedness and the vital interface between public health agencies and emergency medicine.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
1. CDC/ACEP collaborative project on surge preparation: role of the Emergency Department
-Jointly published bulletin outlining the responsibilities of an emergency department during an unplanned patient surge.
2. CDC/ACEP collaborative project on surge preparation: role of Emergency Medical Services
-Jointly published CDC bulletin describing the role of EMS during a mass casualty bombing event.
4. Trauma System: The Backbone of Disaster Preparedness
-Published in 2009, this article by Cryer et al describes how trauma systems function as an integral part of overall disaster preparedness.
5. Definitive Care for the Critically Ill During a Disaster: A Framework for Allocation of Scarce Resources in Mass Critical Care
-This publication discusses how to allocate scare critical care resources during an unplanned mass casaulty event.
6. Definitive Care for the Critically Ill During a Disaster: A Framework for Optimizing Critical Care Surge Capacity
7. Definitive Care for the Critically Ill During a Disaster: Medical Resources for Surge Capacity
8. Definitive Care for the Critically Ill During a Disaster: Current Capabilities and Limitations
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER RESPONSE
1. The Response to the 2011 Joplin, Missouri Tornado: FEMA sponsored report on the recovery period following the destruction of vital hospital infrastructure
2. Houston's medical disaster response to Hurricane Katrina 2009, Part 1
3. Houston's medical disaster response to Hurricane Katrina, 2009, Part 2
PANDEMIC DISASTER RESPONSE
1. H1N1 Influenza, Public Health Preparedness, and Health Care Reform
TERRORIST EVENT RESPONSE
1.. Clinical Management of Potential Bioterrorism Related Conditions, NEJM 2015.
-Article published in NEJM which describes treatment for potential biotoxins such as anthrax and nerve agents
2. Lessons from Boston, NEJM 2013
-Article published in NEJM which reviews the response and "lessons learned" in the wake of the Boston marathon bombing. Important document that describes the inter-agency cooperation and collaboration between hospital based agencies, emergency medical services, and other emergency response stakeholders.
3. After action report for the Boston Marathon Bombing
-Report published by the Massachussetts Emergency Response Agency, The Massachussetts Department of Health, and other governmental agencies on the challenges related to emergency care at the boston bombing event.
4. After action report for the Las Vegas shooting
-Compiled by FEMA, this report describes challenges and hazards encountered during the initial emergency response to the Las Vegas mass shooting. This shooting occurred in an open air venue and injured hundreds.
RESPONSE TO RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES
1. Information for First Responders
-Sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services, this website (Radiation Emergency Medical Management) contains information related to personal protective equipment, triage practices, and treatment strategies for radiological emergencies
2. CDC Information for Clinicians
-Maintained by the Centers for Disease Control, the site contains interactive training programs, charts, and other documents pertinent to the emergency response during a radiation emergency. Resources include charts on the assessment of acute radiation sickness and best practices for decontamination.