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Long-term effects of anthrax infection
DMR
Abstracts
Trauma Systems Respond to Terrorism Trauma systems have been a part of the public health infrastructure since injuries were defined as the ‘‘neglected epidemic.’’ In 1966, the National Academy of Science and the National Research Council encouraged more interaction between acute care providers and the public health systems. Now that threats of terrorism are challenging public health to reconfigure, trauma systems can offer resources that could strengthen the public’s capabilities to prepare and respond to terrorism. The State of Connecticut has an established trauma system that is comprised of 15 trauma centers with 2 level I centers, each serving a portion of the state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has created a method to tap into the existing trauma system infrastructure by designating each of the level I centers as a Center of Excellence for Bioterrorism Preparedness. The centers have been used to assist the Capitol Region (CR) Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) with activities, such as planning for the receipt, storage, and distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Trauma centers can combine the use of traumatology and epidemiology to educate, communicate, and lead acute care clinicians in the care of bioterrorism cases. The Connecticut model has been used to coordinate statewide communication, conduct drills, and make recommendations for strategic planning.
Disaster Manage Response 2004;2:95-6. Copyright Ó 2004 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1540-2487/$30.00 July-September 2004
Jacobs LM, Burns KJ, Gross RJ. Terrorism: a public health threat with a trauma system response. J Trauma 2003;55:1014-21. doi:10.1016/j.dmr.2004.06.002
et al. One-year health assessment of adult survivors of Bacillus anthracis infection. JAMA 2004;291: 21994-8 doi:10.1016/j.dmr.2004.06.003
Long-Term Effects of Anthrax Infection
Communicating During a Bioterrorist Attack
The long-term consequences of Bacillus anthracis infections that are related to bioterrorism are unknown. In an effort to describe the relationship between the infection and persistent somatic symptoms, a recent study was conducted of US Postal Service employees in New Jersey who had survived infection. Fifteen adult survivors of the 2001 bioterrorist activities participated in a cross-sectional study that was conducted approximately 1 year after infections were diagnosed. Of the 15 survivors, 6 had had the inhalational form and 9 had the cutaneous form of the disease. The researchers found that, after 1 year, the survivors reported moderate to severe health complaints affecting a median of 6 body systems, evidence of psychological distress, and significantly lower scores for quality of life. These findings were similar to studies of victims exposed to other types of traumatic events. The authors evaluated available medical records to help determine extent of injury or dysfunction and often found unremarkable results. They noted that medically unexplained physical symptoms can arise from many physical and mental disorders. Because survivors of terrorism can experience significant health problems, they should be offered both medical and psychiatric services and rehabilitation.
During a public health emergency, the general public turns to various sources of information to receive immediate notice, advice, and commentary. The anthrax attacks of 2001 were covered by multiple media sources and the accounts were found to be extremely variable, shallow, and not always validated by health authorities. Politicians and public health authorities did not appear to be coordinated in providing information, and health care workers did not communicate well with each other. The Internet was not used as extensively as television and radio during this time, and the authors evaluated the potential of using the Internet to improve communicating information to an alarmed public. The Internet is a quick and effective method to deliver information to a wide range of people. The depth of information can be customized and obtained from credible sources, such as government agencies. The Internet is accessible at any time of the day or night, and technologies, such as Web sites or chat rooms, can be used to help share emerging information. Unfortunately, the Internet also has disadvantages. During a crisis, information may not be made immediately available if it needs to be validated by experts. Reliable and credible Web sites that can post information rapidly may not be rapidly located through standard search engines. A large number of people do not have computer skills or ability to access the Internet.
Reissman DB, Whitney EAS, Taylor TH, Hayslett JA, Dull PM, Arias I,
Disaster Management & Response/Abstracts 95
Abstracts
Trauma Systems Respond to Terrorism Trauma systems have been a part of the public health infrastructure since injuries were defined as the ‘‘neglected epidemic.’’ In 1966, the National Academy of Science and the National Research Council encouraged more interaction between acute care providers and the public health systems. Now that threats of terrorism are challenging public health to reconfigure, trauma systems can offer resources that could strengthen the public’s capabilities to prepare and respond to terrorism. The State of Connecticut has an established trauma system that is comprised of 15 trauma centers with 2 level I centers, each serving a portion of the state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has created a method to tap into the existing trauma system infrastructure by designating each of the level I centers as a Center of Excellence for Bioterrorism Preparedness. The centers have been used to assist the Capitol Region (CR) Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) with activities, such as planning for the receipt, storage, and distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Trauma centers can combine the use of traumatology and epidemiology to educate, communicate, and lead acute care clinicians in the care of bioterrorism cases. The Connecticut model has been used to coordinate statewide communication, conduct drills, and make recommendations for strategic planning.
Disaster Manage Response 2004;2:95-6. Copyright Ó 2004 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1540-2487/$30.00 July-September 2004
Jacobs LM, Burns KJ, Gross RJ. Terrorism: a public health threat with a trauma system response. J Trauma 2003;55:1014-21. doi:10.1016/j.dmr.2004.06.002
et al. One-year health assessment of adult survivors of Bacillus anthracis infection. JAMA 2004;291: 21994-8 doi:10.1016/j.dmr.2004.06.003
Long-Term Effects of Anthrax Infection
Communicating During a Bioterrorist Attack
The long-term consequences of Bacillus anthracis infections that are related to bioterrorism are unknown. In an effort to describe the relationship between the infection and persistent somatic symptoms, a recent study was conducted of US Postal Service employees in New Jersey who had survived infection. Fifteen adult survivors of the 2001 bioterrorist activities participated in a cross-sectional study that was conducted approximately 1 year after infections were diagnosed. Of the 15 survivors, 6 had had the inhalational form and 9 had the cutaneous form of the disease. The researchers found that, after 1 year, the survivors reported moderate to severe health complaints affecting a median of 6 body systems, evidence of psychological distress, and significantly lower scores for quality of life. These findings were similar to studies of victims exposed to other types of traumatic events. The authors evaluated available medical records to help determine extent of injury or dysfunction and often found unremarkable results. They noted that medically unexplained physical symptoms can arise from many physical and mental disorders. Because survivors of terrorism can experience significant health problems, they should be offered both medical and psychiatric services and rehabilitation.
During a public health emergency, the general public turns to various sources of information to receive immediate notice, advice, and commentary. The anthrax attacks of 2001 were covered by multiple media sources and the accounts were found to be extremely variable, shallow, and not always validated by health authorities. Politicians and public health authorities did not appear to be coordinated in providing information, and health care workers did not communicate well with each other. The Internet was not used as extensively as television and radio during this time, and the authors evaluated the potential of using the Internet to improve communicating information to an alarmed public. The Internet is a quick and effective method to deliver information to a wide range of people. The depth of information can be customized and obtained from credible sources, such as government agencies. The Internet is accessible at any time of the day or night, and technologies, such as Web sites or chat rooms, can be used to help share emerging information. Unfortunately, the Internet also has disadvantages. During a crisis, information may not be made immediately available if it needs to be validated by experts. Reliable and credible Web sites that can post information rapidly may not be rapidly located through standard search engines. A large number of people do not have computer skills or ability to access the Internet.
Reissman DB, Whitney EAS, Taylor TH, Hayslett JA, Dull PM, Arias I,
Disaster Management & Response/Abstracts 95