Bolhari J, Chime N,
Volume 65, Issue 13 (3-2008)
Abstract
Background: Mental health needs to increase in disasters and this study assesses the
basic and mental health needs and delivered services during the first month after Bam
(Iran) earthquake disaster in year 2004.
Methods: Thirty Five mental health professionals and experts were involved in mental
health care and interventions for survivors in Tehran general hospitals and in the Bam,
were participated in a focus group qualitative study, and finding analyzed after coding
from tape recorder.
Results: The primary and immediate needs of survivors were: water, food, shelter,
security, finding family members, treating and helping injured ones, respect and good
relationship by others, and information and news about disaster and others. Second and
long time needs and services were the previous needs and services and also immediate
starting the daily routine activities, opening schools and workplaces, participating in
community services and resettlement or housing. Lack of previous program and
inadequate services are discussed in the paper.
Conclusion: It is the first time in Iran survivors get immediate mental health intervention
in disaster, but based on finding and the survivors needs, and the problems reported in
services were delivered, the study proposes a new mental health intervention program in
natural disaster for Iran.
Abbasali Ebrahimian , Ali Fakhr-Movahedi , Raheb Ghorbani , Hossein Ghasemian-Nik,
Volume 76, Issue 7 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background: Hospital bed capacity is one of problems in intensive care unit during at the time of crisis, emergencies and disasters. At this regard, it seems reverse triage can resolve this issue by using predictive score systems. This study was purposed to develop a reverse triage system in intensive care unit using APACHE II scoring system for crisis, emergencies and disasters situations.
Methods: This study was performed by a prospective longitudinal design that lasted from March 2016 to February 2017. Research population were 420 internal patients that were admitted in intensive care units of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Data were collected and documented for each patient by demographic questionnaire and APACHE II scoring system daily until discharging time from intensive care units. The patient’s status after discharge from the intensive care unit was used as a criterion for statistical tests.
Results: APACHE II mean score in first day of admission was 18.9±16.20. Risk ratio of patients’ discharging from intensive care unit was 1.034. The patients were placed in four levels of inverse triage according to mortality rate and risk ratio. The scores of four levels were including: 0-10 (first level and green color), 11-16 (second level and yellow color), 27-71 (third level and black color) and 17-26 (fourth level and red color).
Conclusion: The Apache II system can be used as a tool for reverse triage in intensive care units during at the time of crisis, emergencies and disasters. When using this system for reverse triage, patients at the first to third levels can be discharged from intensive care unit. However, patients on the fourth level should not be discharged from intensive care units under any circumstances.
