Do pediatric and adult disaster victims differ? A descriptive analysis of clinical encounters from four natural disaster DMAT deployments.

Objectives: The differences between pediatric (< or = 17 years of age) and adult clinical field encounters were analyzed from four deployments of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs).

Methods: A retrospective cohort review of all patients who presented to DMAT field clinics during two hurricanes, one earthquake, and one flood was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) severity category level; (4) chief complaint; (5) treatments provided; (6) discharge diagnosis; and (7) disposition.

Analysis of patients treated during four Disaster Medical Assistance Team deployments.

To aid disaster planning, a retrospective review of patients seen by New Mexico 1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (NM-1 DMAT) after four disasters was conducted. Data analyzed included age, gender, past medical history, chief complaint, diagnosis, diagnostic testing, treatment, triage category, disposition, and time to presentation after the disaster. Data were analyzed for differences between patients presenting early vs.

A comparison of patient needs following two hurricanes.

Objectives: The New Mexico-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (NM-1 DMAT) has responded to more disasters due to hurricanes than disasters from any other type of event. To assess whether defined patient needs may be applied to future hurricanes, the patient needs after Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki were compared. The study question was, "Did patient medical needs differ after these hurricanes?"

Design: Retrospective cohort review.

Different medical needs between hurricane and flood victims.

Objective: Through the review of patient records seen by the New Mexico-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (NM-1DMAT) after various disasters, we hoped to find patterns that might help in disaster planning. Our hypothesis was that flood and hurricane victims have different medical conditions and needs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patient records for NM-1DMAT deployments to Hurricane Andrew in Florida (August 1992) and the Houston, TX flood caused by Tropical Storm Allison (June 2001).