Objective To examine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression for medical staffs who took part in rescue in the disaster area after Wenchuan Earthquake. Methods According to purpose sampling method, from June 12th to June 18th, we investigated the medical staffs in eight areas, and the total number was 500. The eight areas included Mianzhu, Deyang, Shifang, Chengdu, Mianyang, Pengzhou, Zitong, and Anxian. The survey tools were PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). After collecting all questionnaires, we divided 500 medical staffs into 2 groups, according to the fact whether the rescue was carried out in the disaster area or not. Results A total of 500 questionnaires were given to the subjects, of which 481 effective ones were collected, and the effective rate was about 96.2%. In addition, the prevalence of PTSD for overall was 23.3%, anxiety was 21.6%, depression was 49.9%, and the anxiety plus depression was 19.54%. At the same time, we found out the averages of PCL-C (48.29±29.90 vs. 34.76±18.03), PCL-C frequency (16.27±15.14 vs. 9.99±10.25), PCL-C severity (32.03±15.26 vs. 24.85±8.60), SAS primitive (37.39±10.35 vs. 32.22±7.61), SAS standard (46.73±12.94 vs. 40.27±9.51), SDS primitive (42.00±8.32 vs. 37.99±9.63), and SDS standard (52.50±10.39 vs. 47.48±11.92) were different. The medical staffs in the disaster area were under more severe conditions, and there were significant differences between the 2 groups. The prevalence of PTSD (28.52% vs. 16.59), anxiety (28.89% vs. 12.32%), depression (58.15% vs. 39.34%), and anxiety plus depression (26.67% vs. 10.43%) between the 2 groups was significantly different, and the disaster area was under severe conditions. Additionally, the prevalences at three levels within SAS and SDS were much higher in the disaster area. There were also significant differences. Conclusion The prevalences of PTSD, SAS, and SDS within medical staffs who took part in rescue in the disaster area after Wenchuan Earthquake are higher than in the non-disaster area. Therefore, we should work out mental intervention and rehabilitation project for medical staffs, especially those who took part in rescue in the disaster area. Finally, the medical staffs’ ability to copy with stress can be improved.
ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of Chinese military health forces use in earthquake medical rescue, so as to provide experience for improving medical support capabilities of military health forces. MethodsThe data about medical rescue efforts of military health forces in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes were collected on the basis of field research. The relevant military documents, materials and literature were reviewed. And descriptive analysis was then performed. ResultsChinese military health forces carries out the medical rescue efforts with the following characteristics, rapid forces grouping and flexible forces deployment. ConclusionsMilitary health forces should meet the medical and health demands of the stricken area. The medical forces should be grouped and deployed rapidly, sufficiently and totally. The diversified forces should be mixing organized. The forces should be deployed by integration and modularization.
Shortly after the disastrous Wenchuan earthquake, a harmonious working environment for healthcare professionals both at home and abroad has been formed in West China Hospital, under an integrated managerial framework and working model. Four foreign medical teams consisting of over 70 professionals and foreign medical materials weighing about 8 tons have been accepted. This model may provide references for the reception of foreign medical teams during the emergent medical rescue for any unexpected event in the future.
Objective To observe the effect of mental nursing for operation patients with earthquake trauma on their rehabilitation. Methods Eighty operation patients with earthquake trauma were randomly divided into two groups: mental nursing group and conventional nursing group. Psychological consult was used in the mental nursing group. Results were recorded by psychologic test, investigation questionnaire and nursing statistics. The measuring scales included SCL-90, HAMD and HAMA. Results The degree of satisfaction in the mental nursing group was obviously higher than that in the conventional nursing group. The scores of depression and anxiety in the mental nursing group were lower than these in the conventional nursing group. The length of hospital stay in the mental nursing group was also shorter (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Mental nursing could reduce dysphrenia in operation patients with earthquake trauma and facilitate their rehabilitation.
Objective To provide a disaster triage method by analyzing the data of the hospital transferring casualties after Wenchuan earthquake. Method The data of the patients’ admission and hospital transferring in the West China Hospital were collected after the earthquake in two weeks. Moreover, the reason and the method of the hospital transferring were analyzed. Result In the first two weeks since the earthquake struck Wenchuan, the number of the available bed for earthquake patients in West China Hospital was 124 per day, but in the 2 227 earthquake patients treated, 1 181 patients were admitted. Comparing with the number of the total hospitalized, the percentage is 53.03%. The hospital was overloaded. After a reasonable hospital transference, the daily number of inpatients was stable and all the patients were treated sufficiently. Conclusion After a natural disaster, an effective administration transferring patients to suitable medical recourse should be performed, so that more right treatments should be given to more right patients in the right time and right place.
ObjectiveTo understand the levels of and influencing factors for knowledge of earthquake in the elderly population. MethodPeople who were older than 60 years in the earthquake area of Sichuan Province were surveyed by self-designed earthquake knowledge scale composed of 6 items with a point of 1-5 for each item between October and November 2013. The total score ranged from 6 to 30 points. ResultsUp to 1 509 elderly people participated the survey. The total score of earthquake knowledge was 13.33±4.85. The main resource for acquiring those knowledge was TV (76.87%). Occupation, education level, residency, marital status, residence, self-injury, health status, access to earthquake knowledge, and worrying about earthquake were related factors for their knowledge on earthquake (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that the higher degree of education, having a spouse, living in city, more access to earthquake knowledge, worrying about earthquake were the promotion factors for earthquake knowledge preparedness. Self-injury, poor health were the factors that hindered the acquiring of earthquake knowledge preparedness. ConclusionsIt is necessary to train knowledge of earthquake for elderly people individually because they lack enough resources and tend to be affected by many factors.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of occupational therapy by stages on the activities of daily living (ADL) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during Wenchuan earthquake. MethodsTwenty-six SCI patients during Wenchuan earthquake admitted into the People's Hospital of Mianzhu City from July 2008 to June 2011 underwent two-stage occupational therapy. The first stage therapy continued for three months and the second continued for three weeks. ADL was measured using the modified barthel index (MBI). ResultsThe MBI in SCI patients after first-stage therapy was 65.71±19.30, and the MBI in SCI patients after the second-stage therapy was 76.93±16.82. All MBI item scores during the second-stage therapy were higher than in the first stage therapy, and the ability of stool and urine control, and walking increased significantly (P<0.05). ConclusionEarly and continuous occupational therapy by stages can increase the activities of daily living in spinal cord injury patients during Wenchuan earthquake.
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.
Objective To investigate the injury types, dysfunction situation and rehabilitation deamnd of the Lushan earthquake victims. Methods The rehabilitation demand of 208 Lushan earthquake victims in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University were investigated using a questionnaire. Results Bone fractures accounted for the largest proportion of injury types, followed by combined injuries, soft tissue injuries, pulmonary contusion, and amputation. Most victims suffered from the motor dysfunction, balance disorder and restrictions in activities of daily living. More than 80% of victims had pain. A few victims had paresthesia and respiratory disorder. Most victims needed rehabilitation assistant devices and hospitalization treatment. Conclusion The injury types and dysfunction situation of Lushan earthquake victims are associated with the demand of rehabilitation assistant device. The tailored rehabilitation regimen can be made in combination with victim’s rehabilitation demand. The early intervention of rehabilitation medicine is extremely beneficial to the recovery of earthquake victims.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of interdisciplinary therapy in critically ill patients with gas gangrene in the 2008 W enchuan earthquake．Methods Four critically wounded patients with gas gangrene caused by Wenchuan earthquake were treated by interdisciplinary cooperation．Results Two patients received debridement and decompression were not amputated．Two amputated patients did not received futher amputation．Conclusions Interdisciplinary therapy of critically ill patients with gasgangrene in earthquake could limited the area of tissue necrosis，minimized the necessity of amputation and further amputation．