The race to disasters - is the international relief community ready for future disasters?

Background: Climate-related disasters have tripled in the past 30 years. Between 2006 and 2016, the global sea levels rose 2.5 times faster than the entire 20th century.

Unique Challenges for WHO Emergency Medical Teams in Ukraine: Field Assessment and Global Recommendations.

The purpose of World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) is to provide timely, high-quality health services in the immediate aftermath of disasters and during disease outbreaks and other emergencies, including conflict and insecurity.The war in Ukraine has presented all health-care providers with many unique challenges. This assessment addresses the importance and the complexities of the global spread of the Emergency Medical Team system challenges to meet a wide variety of crises including war, those that are unique to this very complex crisis in Ukraine, and the essential role of educational initiatives, not only in professional development but also in teamwork and cultural integration.

Do first responders and populations perceive risks similarly? A comparative study of seven countries.

Introduction: Risk perception illustrates the subjective evaluation of individuals concerning the characteristics, severity, and capacity to cope with potential hazards. Risk perception influences attitudes and actions individuals take to protect themselves from future threats. Risk perceptions might change among different stakeholder groups such as society and first responders.

Enhancing disaster response of emergency medical teams through "TEAMS 3.0" training package-Does the multidisciplinary intervention make a difference?

Background: In the aftermath of disasters, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) are dispatched to help local rescue efforts. Although EMTs are recognized to be a critical component of the global health workforce, concerns have emerged over their functioning and effectiveness. For example, lack of cooperation and coordination between different EMTs has been a longstanding issue, resulting in fragmented disaster management.

Public conformism with health regulation is crumbling as COVID-19 becomes a chronic threat: Repeated Cross-sectional Studies.

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the long terms trends in public attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and compliance with self-quarantine regulations.

Methods: Repeated cross-sectional studies looking into data collected from nationally representative samples (N = 2568) of the adult population in Israel at five points in time representing the five morbidity waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined public trust in Israeli health regulations, levels of public panic, feelings of personal worry, and compliance with health regulations, specifically self-quarantine.

Rethinking the Current "Stage-and-Wait" Paradigm.

Introduction: The experience of terrorist incidents involving a secondary explosive device that targeted rescue forces led to changes in the safety protocols of these forces in most countries of the world. These protocols are the foundation of the current "Stage-and-Wait" paradigm that prohibits the entry of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from entering the scene and treating casualties until it is deemed safe. These guidelines were established absent of an evidence-base detailing the risk to responders and the potential consequences to the injured on-scene.

Combat Injury Profile in Urban Warfare.

Introduction: Combat ground maneuvers consist of various platforms and have several environmental characteristics, influenced by the terrain, the operational mission, and the force's capabilities. This study assesses data on injuries sustained during urban warfare, aiming to evaluate the relationship between injury characteristics, maneuver platform, and personal protective gear on the battlefield.

Materials And Methods: IDF soldiers injured infantry soldiers from the "Cast Lead" and the "Protective Edge" operations in the Gaza Strip (2008-2009 and 2014, respectively) were divided into four groups according to the maneuver platform and the environment: mounted infantry (armored and unarmored vehicle) and dismounted infantry (urban and open area).

Applying the Haddon Matrix to Frontline Care Preparedness and Response in Asymmetric Warfare.

Introduction: Asymmetric warfare and the reaction to its threats have implications in the way far-forward medical assistance is provided in such settings. Investments in far-forward emergency resuscitation and stabilization can contribute to saving lives and increase the resilience of health systems. Thus, it is proposed to extend the use of the Haddon Matrix to determine a set of strategies to better understand and prioritize activities to prepare for and set-up frontline care in the form of Trauma Stabilization Points (TSPs).

Lockdown Efficacy in Controlling the Spread of COVID-19 May Be Waning Due to Decline in Public Compliance, Especially among Unvaccinated Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Israel.

Public compliance is paramount for the success of public health measures and decision making, such as lockdowns, in controlling the spread of diseases. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to investigate the level of reported compliance with home isolation among the adult Israeli population ( = 940) during the first three national lockdowns, compliance with a potential fourth national lockdown if enacted, risk perception of COVID-19, vaccination uptake status, perceived effectiveness of the vaccine, and compliance with additional protective health behaviors (e.g.

Injuries From Explosions: More Differences Than Similarities Between Various Types.

Objective: To compare injury patterns of different types of explosions.

Methods: A retrospective study of 4508 patients hospitalized due to explosions recorded in the Israel National Trauma Registry between January 1997 and December 2018. The events were divided into 4 groups: terror-related, war-related, civilian intentional explosions, and civilian unintentional explosions.

Understanding Societal Resilience-Cross-Sectional Study in Eight Countries.

Civilian populations that are more prepared for emergencies are more resilient. Ample research has been carried out over the last three decades to identify the factors that contribute to public readiness to emergencies and disasters and enhance societal resilience. However, the analysis did not achieve an in-depth comprehension of the types of contributing factors, namely, contextual vs.

Risk Perception of Natural and Human-Made Disasters-Cross Sectional Study in Eight Countries in Europe and Beyond.

Each year, emergency and disaster situations claim a heavy toll in human lives and economic loss. Civilian populations that are more aware and prepared for emergencies are more resilient. The aim of this study was to explore similarities and differences in risk perception of emergencies and disasters across different societies and its association with individual resilience.

Is Diffuse Axonal Injury Different in Adults and Children? An Analysis of National Trauma Database.

Background: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is typically associated with significant mechanisms of injury and the effects of acceleration-deceleration forces on brain tissues. The prognosis of DAI remains a matter of active investigation, but little is known about outcome differences between adult and pediatric populations with DAI.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study involving blunt trauma patients with DAI between the years 1997 and 2018 from the Israeli National Trauma Registry.

Pandemic Fatigue: The Effects Of The COVID-19 Crisis On Public Trust And Compliance With Regulations In Israel.

Social resilience and trust are two major components of the mitigation of the spread of contagious diseases. Although measures such as the imposition of national lockdowns and self-quarantines have been proven to be effective in reducing morbidity, their efficacy is dependent on public trust and compliance. The purpose of this study was to assess public attitudes toward the COVID-19 outbreak over the course of a year.

Spinal cord injury in the setting of traumatic thoracolumbar fracture is not reliably associated with increased risk of associated intra-abdominal injury following blunt trauma: An analysis of a National Trauma Registry database.

Purpose: There is a common opinion that spinal fractures usually reflect the substantial impact of injuries and therefore may be used as a marker of significant associated injuries, specifically for intra-abdominal injury (IAI). The impact of concomitant spinal cord injury (SCI) with the risk of associated IAI has not been well clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of IAIs in patients suffering from spinal fractures with or without SCI.

Early Trauma Predictors of Mobility in People with Spinal Cord Injury.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: This study aims to assess the potential value of very early trauma variables such as Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and the Injury Severity Score for predicting independent ambulation following a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).

Summary Of Background Data: Several models for prediction of ambulation early after TSCI have been published and validated.

COVID-19 Changed the Injury Patterns of Hospitalized Patients.

Introduction: Injury patterns are closely related to changes in behavior. Pandemics and measures undertaken against them may cause changes in behavior; therefore, changes in injury patterns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak can be expected when compared to the parallel period in previous years.

Study Objective: The aim of this study was to compare injury-related hospitalization patterns during the overall national lockdown period with parallel periods of previous years.

Training Package for Emergency Medical Teams Deployed to Disaster Stricken Areas: Has 'TEAMS' Achieved its Goals?

In spite of their good intentions, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) were relatively disorganized for many years. To enhance the efficient provision of EMT's field team work, the Training for Emergency Medical Teams and European Medical Corps (TEAMS) project was established. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and quality of the TEAMS training package in 2 pilot training programs in Germany and Turkey.

Motorcycle-related head and neck injuries: increased risk among ethnic minorities.

Background: Ethnic disparities have been associated with injury and mortality. The impact of ethnicity on head and neck injury (HNI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), in-hospital mortality and resource utilization following a motorcycle crash (MCC) is undetermined. This study explored the influence of ethnicity in these aspects and the effect of helmet use on HNI and TBI following a MCC.

Maxillofacial trauma following road accidents-An 11-year multi-center study in Israel.

Background/aim: Road traffic collisions (RTC) are known to be one of the major causes of maxillofacial trauma (MFT). The road user factor is of crucial importance in the prevalence, severity, and treatment of maxillofacial injuries. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of maxillofacial trauma among road users, to illustrate injury patterns and to identify road users at high risk.

Assisted life termination and truth telling to terminally ill patients - a cross-sectional study of public opinions in Israel.

Background: End-of-life decisions are highly complex socio-normative and ethical phenomena. The goal of this study was to provide an assessment of public opinions in Israel concerning aspects of end-of-life decisions.

Methods: An online cross sectional study was performed in February 2020.

National study: Most elderly patients benefit from earlier hip fracture surgery despite co-morbidity.

Objective: To estimate the potential influence of pre-operative patient condition on the benefit of earlier hip fracture surgery for elderly patients.

Background: Many studies emphasize the benefit of earlier hip fracture surgery for patient survival. However less is known regarding how this relationship is influenced by clinical factors which could serve as potential contra-indicators for earlier surgery.

Income assurances are a crucial factor in determining public compliance with self-isolation regulations during the COVID-19 outbreak - cohort study in Israel.

Background: The outbreak of a new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses dramatic challenges to public health authorities worldwide. One measure put in place to contain the spread of the disease is self-quarantine of individuals who may have been exposed to the disease. While officials expect the public to comply with such regulation, studies suggest that a major obstacle to compliance for self-quarantine is concern over loss of income or employment due to the prolonged absence from work.

Hypotension on admission in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury: contemporary examination of the incidence and outcomes using a national registry.

Purpose: This study was primarily aimed at establishing the incidence and impact of hypotension in patients with blunt traumatic brain injury based on National Trauma Registry Database.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the National Trauma Registry was conducted. Patients with TBI following blunt mechanisms of injury were examined, comparing those with and without hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg) on arrival.

Socio-economic disparities and returning to work following an injury.

Background: Traumatic injury is one of the main reasons for temporary and permanent occupational disability. The objective of this study was to define the role of socio-economic position on post-injury occupational absenteeism.

Methods: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study, based on linking The Israeli National Trauma Registry (INTR) and the National Insurance Institute (NII) databases.