Best practice guidelines on surgical response in disasters and humanitarian emergencies: Report of the 2011 humanitarian action summit working group on surgical issues within the humanitarian space
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Journal
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
Volume
26
Issue
6
DOI
10.1017/S1049023X12000064
Keywords
Disaster medicine; Humanitarian emergencies; Surgical burden of disease; Surgical standards; Trauma rehabilitation
Abstract
The provision of surgery within humanitarian crises is complex, requiring coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders. During the 2011 Humanitarian Action Summit best practice guidelines were proposed to provide greater accountability and standardization in surgical humanitarian relief efforts. Surgical humanitarian relief planning should occur early and include team selection and preparation, appropriate disaster-specific anticipatory planning, needs assessment, and an awareness of local resources and limitations of cross-cultural project management. Accurate medical record keeping and timely follow-up is important for a transient surgical population. Integration with local health systems is essential and will help facilitate longer term surgical health system strengthening. © Copyright Chackungal © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2012.
APA Citation
Chackungal, S., Nickerson, J., Knowlton, L., Black, L., Burkle, F., Casey, K., Crandell, D., Demey, D., Di Giacomo, L., Dohlman, L., Goldstein, J., Gosney, J., Ikeda, K., Linden, A., Mullaly, C., O'Connell, C., Redmond, A., & Richards, A. (2011). Best practice guidelines on surgical response in disasters and humanitarian emergencies: Report of the 2011 humanitarian action summit working group on surgical issues within the humanitarian space. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 26 (6). http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X12000064