After Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, West China Medical School/ West China Hospital of Sichuan University organized a youth volunteer team for earthquake rescue and relief. A volunteer network was formed and relevant service regulations were formulated immediately. Volunteers have played an important role in post-earthquake evacuation of patients, emergency reception, ward care, on-call service, a service to help people find family members, telecommunications and some other major tasks.
Objective To systematically analyze and compare the casualties’ medical evacuation (ME) in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes, so as to provide useful references for earthquake casualties’ ME in the future. Methods The data about casualties’ ME in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes were collected from the field research, work statement of the Ministry of Health, official websites, and literatures. And the descriptive analysis was then performed. Results From Wenchuan to Yushu, the principle of ME tended to be “early evacuation, all evacuation”; the evacuation level was gradually simplified, the casualties were evacuated directly from the disaster area to the rear hospital through highway and railway, or air evacuation became the major method of ME; triage became less prominent, while specialist treatment was strived as early as possible. Conclusion The early establishment of appropriate evacuation principles, building of a simplified evacuation system, ensuring adequate medical transport capacity, and scientific assessment of treatment capacity at all levels are the main issues of effective and safe ME after earthquakes that require to be solved urgently.
Objective To provide references for production and dissemination of evidence in the fields of medical emergency management, treatment, and prevention of epidemics after May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake by systematically reviewing, analyzing, and comparing quake related papers in medical journals. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE and CBM (Chinese Biomedical Literature) databases (range: from inception to Sept. 2009). Quake related papers were imported into EndNote software, checked for duplication, and categorized by predefined standards. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0. Results There were relatively fewer quake related articles globally before the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake, and the quantity of papers in MEDLINE was four times than that in CBM. In contrast, the quantity of Chinese quake articles increased rapidly after Wenchuan earthquake, peaking in Aug. 2008 at 6.9 times the average during the 50 years before the quake. The quake related papers in CBM appeared in 378 journals covering a diverse range of subject matter. Meanwhile, there was little change in the quantity of quake related articles in MEDLINE database. Conclusions The effort of producing and disseminating Wenchuan earthquake related medical research has been effectively organized and conducted in a scientific and timely manner, producing the largest in number of quake related medical papers in human history. It has provided first-hand guidance for disaster medical relief around the globe. We should strengthen the systematic construction of disaster medicine, and make an effort to summarize and disseminate evidence in the fields of rehabilitation, system reestablishment, and prevention of epidemics.
Objective To analyze the performance of epidemic prevention of Sichuan Province in the reconstruction stage after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide references for future epidemic prevention when such emergencies occur. Methods Data about the relief work were collected from the archives of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in earthquake-stricken areas. And then the data were classified and analyzed. Results In the reconstruction stage, epidemic prevention followed principals of local-based, local-management, assistance-relied and joint -forces-pushed. The strategies included strengthening the capacity of CDCs through personnel training and improving abilities of hygiene service. Owing to these strategies, the epidemic prevention in Sichuan Province was conducted vigorously, orderly and effectively. Conclusion The epidemic prevention strategies in the reconstruction stage in Sichuan Province are accurate and effective, which could be recommended when such emergencies occur in future.
Objective To summarize the treatment and outcomes of patients with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma following the Wenchuan earthquake. Methods The wounded patients admitted from 12th to 31st May with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma after the earthquake were retrospectively analyzed. This includes baseline information, treatments, outcomes and deaths. Results Liver repair, spleen abscission, decompression and removed of intracranial hematoma ranked the first three of the main reasons for the emergency surgery death of multiple injuries. Heart-lung machine support, trachea cannula and closed drainage of thoracic cavity ranked the first three of the main reasons for the death of thoracic trauma. Moreover, ARDS, fracture of sternum and flail chest ranked the first three of the main reasons for the death of other multiple injuries. All the casualties had the worst situation with high ISS scores. The main death reasons were cerebral wound, peritoneum viscera injuries and the four limbs and pelvis injuries. Besides, the severe thoracic trauma accelerated their death. Conclusion Main death reasons for the inpatients with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma are hemorrhagic shock and severe cerebral wound. The thoracic trauma degree will increase the risk of their death. The more the injury positions, the higher ISS scores, and the more serious thoracic trauma, the higher mortality rate. Rapid examination and diagnosis, rapied triage and distribution of thoracic trauma can help to create more chances for the further treatment and increase the success rate of rescue.
Objective To study the medication usage in children with crush syndrome in Wenchuan Earthquake. Methods The information of the medications of 7 children with crush syndrome in West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University was collected by medical history. The cases and times of medication, the total number of drugs, the drug cost per capita and the drug cost per day were calculated by Excel. Results A total of 113 drugs in 19 categories were appl ied to 7 children with crush syndrome. Most children used Vitamins and antibacterial agents. The cost of gamma globul in injection was the highest. Conclusions The rational ity valuation for children medication lacks international vulgate index and needs more basic research.
Objective To investigate the quality of life (QOL) of Beichuan cadres 1 year after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide references for promoting psychological intervention and improving QOL. Methods With the adoption of WHOQOL-BREF, questionnaire survey on basic conditions of cadre victims, and PCL-C scale, cross-section survey was conducted for 2 055 cadres of Beichuan public institutions in aspects of their QOL, social demographic characteristics and psychological trauma. Results a) Compared with domestic norm, although the Beichuan cadres had higher score in social relation domain (14.31 ± 2.59, Plt;0.01), their QOL scores in each dimensions (physical domain score: 14.16 ± 2.43; psychological domain score: 13.79 ± 2.59, environmental domain score: 11.20 ± 2.74) were lower with significant difference (Plt;0.01); b) The group with population under the age of 30 scored higher than other age groups in the psychological and environmental domains; men scored higher than women in the psychological domain; the widowed group scored lower than other groups in all domains; the Han nationality group scored higher than the Qiang nationality group in all domains; the primary education group scored lower than other groups in the social relation domain; the group with relatives, houses and physical loss or damage scored lower than the non-loss group in all domains; and the higher the score in PCL-C, the lower the scores in all domains (all Plt;0.05). Conclusion Beichuan cadres are severely affected in their physical, psychological and environmental domains even one year after Wenchuan earthquake, especially the female, the Qiang nationality, the old, the lost, and the psychological injured cadres are more badly affected with worse QOL, so those population should be concerned in particular with sustainable psychological service and other measures. The finding of social relation domain score being higher than general population suggests that it is important to promote the satisfaction with social relation through the timely effective support from both government and civil society, and the resettlement of sample housing area as well.
Objective To find effective ways for controlling the hospital infection to the skeptical gas gangrene patients. Method From May 14th to June 24th, the hospital set up triage spots originally and dealt with the wounded based on their specific conditions in different stages and optimized the flow of admission of the wounded. Owing to correctly treating the wound and screening the skeptical gas gangrene patients, preventing nosocomial infections was shifted forward. Sprending the gas gangrene wound after having flushed it with 3% H2O2. If the wound have been stitched, the stitches should bee taken out, and open the wound and take the debridement for it completely, then treat it with b antibacterial after debridement by sterilization and isolation about operation of gas gangrene. Result Up to June 24th, none of 67 cases of doubtful gas gangrene from the disaster area died and no hospital cross infections happened in courtyard. At present, amomg the 67 cases, 32 were highly suspected of gas gangrene infection, 26 cases were discharged, while 6 cases were undergoing treatment in the hospital. Conclusion Correct management and appropriate treatment are effective ways for controlling hospital cross infection to the skeptical gas gangrene patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to explore the main influential factors such as gender, age, ethnic group, marriage status and the extent affected by the earthquake. MethodsUsing WHOQOL-BREF, 500 residents from Hanyuan county in Sichuan province were assessed in order to analyze their life quality and related factors. ResultsThe score on the overall WHOQOL-BREF and the level of each factor were significantly lower than the score on the normal people (P < 0.001). Male score in the factor of social relations significantly higher than female (t=3.963, P < 0.001). The overall score and the score of social factor were significantly lower in the minor than in the adults (t=-2.667, P < 0.01; t=-19.287, P < 0.001). And the quality score of social relationship was significantly lower in the single than in the married and cohabiting couples (P < 0.001; P < 0.01). ConclusionThe quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake was significantly lower than the national norm. There are significant differences in terms of gender, age, marriage status and earthquake damage on social relations. Steady intimate relationships with others help improve the quality of life of residents in stricken area. Besides, compared those with average damage or no damage, the residents with serious damage are relatively worse in the overall quality of life as well as environmental conditions.
Objective To assess and report on the current situation of the families of students, who were involved in the Wenchuan earthquake, to provide data for the government to make decisions that should help with recovery from the earthquake. Methods We selected 2 towns and 4 villages using stratified sampling to take account of different levels of destruction. We performed on-site surveys and secondary research. Results The psychological problems of the parents of the students were serious. These families’ economic situations were not good. Conclusion We should build ‘Mutual Aid’ organization and take the advantage of rural hospitals to promote the long-acting mechanism of the psychological intervention.