Background: The morbidity and mortality rates from heat illness have increased due to a higher number of heatwaves. Effective urgent care of heat illness is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. However, few studies have examined the emergency preparedness measures required for treating such patients.
Methods: From December 23, 2019, to January 23, 2020, a content-validated instrument containing the Perceived Emergency Preparedness Scale for heat illness (heatPEPS) was administered to emergency nurses in China through WeChat. Some of these nurses were retested two weeks later. SPSS 26, IRTPRO 4.2, and NVivo 12 Plus were used for data analysis.
Results: In total, 46.4% (200/431) of the participants returned valid responses. With dichotomous scoring, a high score for heatPEPS (mean 7.29; SD 1.667) was elicited. The reduced 9-item heatPEPS had a perfect fit with the 2PL model (M = 27.24, p > 0.05; RMSEA = 0.01) and acceptable internal (α = 0.68) and test-rest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.56). Many participants (74%) were dissatisfied with their heat illness-related knowledge and skills, suggesting an area that could be improved for better emergency preparedness.
Conclusion: Emergency departments appear to be well-prepared; however, this is subject to social desirability bias. The 9-item heatPEPS is a reliable and valid tool to measure emergency preparedness for heat illness.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2020.100957 | DOI Listing |
J Occup Environ Hyg
January 2025
Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
Software-driven wearable technologies are emerging as a control for heat-related illnesses. Such devices collect biometric data and estimate risk noninvasively. However, little is known about workplace implementation strategies and stakeholder acceptance of the devices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Med (Lausanne)
December 2024
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes. Due to conservative or delayed treatment, the majority of DFU patients frequently miss the optimal treatment window, thereby leading to amputation. Despite being a rare pathogen with low virulence, () exhibits some antibiotic resistance and can be fatal for immunocompromised patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Psychiatry, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad, IND.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is typically associated with winter; however, its less common variant, summertime depression, presents with depressive episodes during the summer months. We report a case of a 46-year-old male patient with recurrent summertime depressive episodes characterized by low mood, fatigue, anhedonia, insomnia, and loss of appetite, each resolving with the onset of the winter season. Our patient's history of summertime depression aligned with the atypical SAD symptoms, including irritability and weight loss, commonly associated with non-seasonal depression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychiatry
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States.
Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting a significant portion of the population, is commonly managed with stimulant medications. These medications, while effective, have been associated with thermoregulatory dysfunction and an increased risk of heat-related adverse events. The current study sought to compare the incidence of such events in ADHD patients receiving stimulant medications with those not on these treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
Event-based surveillance is crucial for the early detection and rapid response to potential public health risks. In recent years, social networking services (SNS) have been recognized for their potential role in this domain. Previous studies have demonstrated the capacity of SNS posts for the early detection of health crises and affected individuals, including those related to infectious diseases.
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