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Medicо-Biological and Socio-Psychological Problems of Safety in Emergency Situations

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No 4 (2020)
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https://doi.org/10.25016/1995-4441-2020-0-4

Medical Issues

5-15 974
Abstract

Relevance. Based on the appeal of the Governor of the Murmansk region to the Operational Headquarters on preventing import and spread of a new coronavirus infection in Russia due to the aggravation of the epidemiological situation and in order to localize the spread of COVID-19, the Russian Emercom allocated forces and capabilities, including an airmobile hospital (AMH) and a temporary accommodation center, in the region. AMH was deployed at the industrial site of the Center for the construction of large-scale offshore facilities of NOVATEK-Murmansk LLC and subcontractors in Belokamenka village, where more than 10 thousand people worked and lived on a rotational basis.
Intention. Summarize and analyze the experience of the AMH of Emercom of Russia under field conditions of an outbreak of the new coronavirus infection.
Methodology. Daily reports on the activities of Emercom of Russia AMH were analyzed for the period from April 17, 2020 to June 12, 2020.
Results and Discussion. Field camp deployment and functioning of Emercom of Russia AMH integrated into a regional medical and preventive institution are described. The data on admitted patients, scope and types of diagnostic tests are presented. It is shown that AMH as a separate outpatient diagnostic department of the Kolsky Central District Hospital should provide special and sanitary treatment, patient referrals and an algorithm of personnel activities, and also comply with antiepidemic measures. During the period of AMH activities in the field, 1678 shift workers got medical advice, 3086 diagnostic studies were carried out for shift workers and employees of the Emercom of Russia. COVID-19 was detected in 500 persons, including 328 cases of mild disease, 98 cases of moderate severity, and 74 severe cases, without case fatalities. The outbreak and spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection as an emergency in the subject of Russia and at the large industrial and construction site were brought under control.
Conclusion. This experience will help improve the activities of the Emercom of Russia AMH under field conditions.

16-26 6786
Abstract

Relevance. At the end of 2019, an outbreak of a new coronavirus infection occurred in the People's Republic of China with an epicenter in Wuhan. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization assigned the infection its official name -COVID-19 («Coronavirus disease 2019»), and the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses on February 11, 2020 assigned the official name to the causative agent - SARS-CoV-2. The study is relevant due to the fact that the disease quickly spread around the planet with the active drift of the pathogen into the territory of the Russian Federation. As of 11/26/2020, worldwide 60 million 894 thousand people were infected with COVID-19, 1 million 430 thousand died, 42 million 90 thousand people recovered.
Intention. Analysis of publications on the epidemiological spread of COVID-19 for the purpose of effective medical and psychological support during dynamic monitoring of the disease, and also for epidemiological well-being.
Methodology. Scientific publications from domestic and foreign databases were analyzed.
Results and Discussion. The global and rapid spread of COVID-19 disease has had a huge impact on all healthcare sectors around the world and has expanded the existing understanding of the nature of the course of this disease, and greatly facilitated the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of new coronavirus infection. The paper discusses the main issues of epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics and prevention of COVID-19, which are currently relevant. In the future, the massive use of vaccines against the new coronavirus will help create population immunity and protect the population from this disease, but today the issue has not yet been resolved, although it should be resolved in the near future.
Conclusion. The issues of epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics of COVID-19 have not yet been finally resolved. The measures taken in Russia to prevent the import of HV are undoubtedly important and adequate to the current situation. At the same time, they cannot completely prevent cases of virus spreading (by those in the incubation period of COVID-19, or those with latent and hidden disease), which can lead to probable epidemiological problems in the future.

 

27-34 748
Abstract

Relevance. The paper is devoted to problems of ensuring road traffic safety in Russia, which is the public task of great importance involving the implementation of the policy for protecting people's health, life, and property.
Intention. To look for ways of optimizing and implementing the measures aimed at preventing the technogenic emergencies.
Methodology. To analyze the indicators of road traffic accidents in the Russian Federation over five years as well as the federal laws in the field of road traffic safety.
Results and Discussion. Risk factors of traffic accidents include: alcohol intoxication, speed limit exceeded, overtaking in the wrong place, driver talking, smoking while driving, driver fatigue. In the Russian Federation, there is a persistent downward trend in the number of accidents. In 2019, 164,358 traffic accidents (-2.2 %; all comparisons vs 2018) occurred, 16,981 (-6.8 %) persons died, 210,877 (-1.9 %) persons were injured. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the number of accidents due violation of the Road Rules by drivers was 146,688 (-1 %); 14,420 (-5.7 %) persons died and 195,037 (-0.8 %) persons were injured. In 2019, road traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers tended to decrease (12,040; -3.5 %); 11,510 (-4 %) persons died and 160,725 (-0.4 %) persons were injured.
Conclusion. Drivers' health is directly related to road traffic safety; health promotion would contribute to decreasing the number of road traffic accidents and traffic-related injuries.

35-41 416
Abstract

Relevance. Currently, there is a general increase in the severity of injuries due to the dominance of high-energy multiple and concomitant injuries, especially on high-speed federal highways.
Intention: To evaluate specialized medical care and hospital mortality in victims of road traffic accidents on the Federal Highway M-8 “Kholmogory” in the Arkhangelsk Region.
Methodology. We selected 906 case histories of patients (form 003/y) injured in accidents on the federal highway M-8 “Kholmogory” and urgently admitted to hospitals of the Arkhangelsk region in 2012 - 2018. Registration forms were selected according to the criteria of retrospective full-design documentary observation. Differences between the observation groups were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05 with correction for multiple comparisons (Bonferroni).
Results and Discussion. In the healthcare organizations of the Arkhangelsk region, patients with polytrauma received surgical treatment, with percentage of selective and urgent surgeries, average hospital bed days and time in intensive care units significantly higher (p = 0.001) compared to other patients, while isolated injuries were more often (p = 0.001) treated non-sur-gically. Hospital mortality was 6.0%, deceased patients were significantly older (p = 0.015), and pedestrians comprised half of them (p <0.001). Polytrauma was a cause of all deaths, with average severity of 38 points by the ISS severity scale [22; 48] (p = 0.001); more than a half died 1 day after an accident (p = 0.001).
Conclusions. One of the possible ways to improve the medical care to victims of road traffic accidents on the federal highways at all stages of medical evacuation is to develop, scientifically justify and implement a systemic register of the health consequences of road traffic injuries in the practice of public health in the regions of Russian Federation.

42-47 571
Abstract

Relevance. Timely competent provision of first aid by fire-fighters and rescuers can minimize the complications of injuries related to road traffic accidents, thereby supporting the lives of victims until the arrival of an ambulance team. Effective first aid training of the Emercom employees is a prerequisite for reducing mortality from road accidents at the pre-hospital stage.
Intention. To analyze preparedness for first aid provision in the Udmurt Republic (Izhevsk city) among the EMERCOM of Russia employees directly involved in the elimination of the consequences of road accidents.
Methodology. 199 employees of the Emercom of Russia were surveyed in the Udmurt Republic (Izhevsk) to assess their preparedness for the first aid provision based on a specially developed questionnaire.
Results and Discussion. When processing the questionnaire data, it was found that 46.7 % of the respondents consider their knowledge and skills to be sufficient for providing first aid to victims of road accidents, 53.3 % are not satisfied with their practical skills. Before the arrival of medical workers, first aid was always provided to the injured by 10.5 %, sometimes by 31.2 % of the respondents. When tested on first aid issues, on average, each employee gave (73.1 ± 1.1) % correct answers. Periodically, 45.2 % of the EMERCOM of Russia employees practiced their skills in first aid on dummies.
Conclusion. The results of the study showed the need to improve the regular training on the first aid among EMERCOM of Russia employees: to use dummies and simulators more widely. The data obtained can be used in planning the interagency interaction of services involved in the elimination of the consequences of road accidents, developing a work program for extended first aid for EMERCOM of Russia employees.

48-59 490
Abstract

Relevance. On September 27, 2017, Russia announced the completion of disposal of chemical weapons with organophosphorus toxic substances. ahead of its international obligations. Besides men, military women also served in enterprises for disposal of these weapons.
Intention. To assess the impact of occupational factors on the primary morbidity of female military personnel (n = 267) served in enterprises for disposal of chemical weapons with organophosphates in 2007-2016.
Methodology. The object of the study was data on the primary morbidity of female military personnel employed in disposal of chemical weapons with organophosphates (group 1) and serving in support and service units (group 2). The results were compared with the indicators of primary morbidity of all female military personnel Armed Forces of Russia. Nosologies were correlated with the chapters of diseases by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10).
Results and Discussion. In Group 1 of female military personnel, the primary morbidity for a number of disease categories was better than in Group 2 and all the female military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, which can be explained by careful preliminary selection before recruting, good work organization, and timely prevention of initial health disorders and rehabilitation of the functional reserves of the body. In military women of Groups 1 and 2, compared to all the female military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, a statistically significantly higher level of primary morbidity was revealed for mental disorders and behavioral disorders (Chapter V by ICD-10). This can be explained by the cumulative effect of mental tension during disposal of chemical weapons. Of note, the above disorders were not the leading category of primary morbidity in both female military personnel working in enterprises and in all the female military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces. In female women of Group 1 compared to all the female military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, there was a statistically significantly higher level of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (Chapter XIII by ICD-10). It can be assumed that negative memories of the likelihood of emergencies when moving weapons that require disposal create additional physical efforts and overstrain of individual muscles. It is appropriate to point out that diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue increased in female military personnel in all groups and overall in 2007-2016. In Group 1 of female military personnel, there was an increase in proportion of diseases from Chapter XIII vs certain stability of their percentage in all the female military personnel f the Russian Armed Forces.
Conclusion. The results obtained showed a sufficient effectiveness of preventive and protective measures during the disposal of organophosphate weapons by female military personnel.

60-68 527
Abstract

Relevance. Due to busy roads of large cities and the resulting slow movement of ambulances with severely affected patients in need of specialized emergency care, new organizational technologies for medical evacuation support as well as modern means of transporting patients to qualified hospitals are required.
Intention is to analyze activities of the aviation medical teams of the Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency Medical Care in Moscow in 2015-2019.
Methodology. Using the automated information-analytical system “Disaster Medicine of the Moscow City”, activities of aviation medical teams over the last 5 years (2015-2019) were analyzed retrospectively in the Scientific and Practical Center of Emergency Medical Care. Ambulance helicopters are fully equipped to provide comprehensive intensive care for severely affected patients without noticeable deterioration of their condition, and utilization of this equipment was also assessed.
Results and Discussion. Main stages of air ambulance formation in Moscow are described. Experience of aviation medical teams over the past 5 years in providing emergency medical care at the pre-hospital stage to those affected in emergency situations and severely ill patients is presented. The description of medical equipment of ambulance helicopters intended for providing emergency medical care to adults and children, including newborns, is given. The number of calls for aviation medical teams over the past five years is provided along with basic reasons and amount of night flights.
Most often helicopters were used for transporting patients with severe concomitant and multiple injuries as a result of road accidents. Medical team composition of ambulance helicopters and the number of helipads on the territory of medical organizations of the city and the territories attached to Moscow are given.
Conclusion. Based on the analysis of aviation medical teams activities, further ways to improve and develop the aviation medical service of the city of Moscow can be outlined to expand its use.

69-75 740
Abstract

Relevance. In accordance with the Decree N 254 of the President of the Russian Federation dated June 06, 2019 “About strategy of the public health development in the Russian Federation up to the year 2025”, one of the primary challenges of public health is providing access to medical care for every citizen irrespective of his/her location in the country. Patients with life-threatening acute conditions should get emergency medical care within so-called “golden hour”, with selecting optimal routes to the appropriate specialized medical centres as soon as possible. In Russia, this can be realized only via air medical evacuation.
Intention. To assess an existing routing system based on the aero-medical evacuation in the regions of the Russian Federation, both under emergency and routine conditions.
Methodology. Reports of the Territorial Centres for Disaster Medicine and health authorities of the entities of the Russian Federation were studied.
Results and Analysis. Standard locations of the capitals of the Russian Federation entities are described, along with need to cooperate with adjacent regions for evacuating patients both routinely and in case of emergencies. Trends and options of air medical transportation are prioritized to minimize risks of health deterioration in patients and casualties. The study showed increase in the number of patients evacuated via air transportation. Control over routing during medical evacuation of injured in emergencies can reduce the mortality rate due to transporting them to specialized medical centers.
Conclusion. Aero-medical transport is extremely demanded for evacuating the injured in emergencies to interregional and federal medical centres.

76-86 561
Abstract

Relevance. Shoulder instability covers a wide range of pathology, there is a fairly high level of its prevalence with a tendency to increase in military personnel.
Intention. To assess a comprehensive diagnostic and preoperative planning algorithm taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient in order to optimize the choice of effective treatment approach.
Methodology. The object of the study was scientific articles indexed in the abstract-bibliographic database of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) and the international database Scopus in 2005-2019.
Results and Discussion. The main approaches to assessing intra-articular injuries are analyzed, which are fundamental for choosing the optimal individual treatment approach, including the interpretation of risk factors for unsuccessful clinical outcomes and recurrence. The data on the clinical effectiveness of the main methods of surgical treatment of pathology and the prospects for their development are summarized. The most common types of complications, risk factors for their occurrence are highlighted. The concept of surgical treatment of anterior shoulder instability notes the technological and scientific improvement of diagnostic and planning methods in order to obtain the most complete objective clinical picture and verification of risk factors for selecting optimal and personalized surgical modalities.
Conclusion. The development of promising treatment technologies, including additive ones, will allow reaching a qualitatively new level of medical care, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of complications.

87-104 2293
Abstract

Relevance. The extreme conditions of the service determine the probability of servicemen' erroneous actions, stress, and often a decrease in the functional reserves of the body. This results in diseases and injuries.
Intention: To analyze the indicators of injuries in the contract military personnel (privates, sergeants and foremen) of the Russian Armed Forces in 2003-2019.
Methodology. The selective statistical analysis of medical reports on the state of health of military personnel by the form 3/MED was carried out. The military units with the contract military personnel about 80 % of the total personnel were under consideration. The indicators of injuries were correlated with the blocks (S00-T98) of the ICD-10 Chapter XIX “Injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes”.
Results and their discussion. In 2003-2019, the injuries incidence among the contact military personnel by ICD-10 Chapter XIX was (18.39 ± 1.74) ‰. Its percentage in the general structure of incidence rate for all ICD-10 Chapters was (3.7 ± 0.3) %. Corresponding hospitalization rates were (12.12 ± 0.88) ‰ with the percentage of (5.0 ± 0.4) %, working days loss - (311.5 ± 26.0) ‰ and (7.9 ± 0.6) %, dismissal - (0.24 ± 0.03) ‰ and (6.2 ± 0.7) %, mortality - (51.48 ± 4.53) per 100 thousand of personnel and (50.5 ± 2.2) %, respectively. There was a decrease in the rate and proportion of injuries in the general structure of analyzed indicators of morbidity. The most common injuries among the contract military personnel were injuries to the head (ICD-10 Chapter XIX block 1, S00-S09), wrist and hand (block 7, S60-S69), ankle and foot (block 10, S90-S99), knee and lower leg (block 9, S80-S89), elbow and forearm (block 6, S50-S59), shoulder and upper arm (block 5, S40-S49). The structure of the types of injuries to the areas of the body was presented. The military epidemiological assessment of the significance of the contract military personnel injuries was performed. The 1st rank of the negative health effects significance was assigned to head injuries (block 1), injuries involving multiple body regions (block 11, T00-T07) ranked 2nd, sequelae of injuries, of poisoning and of other consequences of external causes (block 22, T90-T98) ranked 3rd, injuries to the ankle and foot (block 10) ranked 4th and injuries to the wrist and hand (block 7) ranked 5th. In total, these injuries amounted to 70.9 % of the assessed structure. Concerning trauma circumstances, many injuries occurred during off-duty hours (38.3 %). Injuries on combat duty comprised 3.4 %, during combat training - 17.4 %, on duty - 4.8 %, when using weapons and military equipment - 4.1 %, during household work - 5.4 %, during construction work - 1.7 %. Other circumstances were associated with 24.9 % of injuries.
Conclusion. The obtained medical and statistical indicators of the injuries can determine the strategy of safe conditions for military professional activity, injuries prevention, medical and health promotion and rehabilitation measures for contract military personnel.

 

Social and Psychological Issues

105-113 913
Abstract

Relevance. Internal Affairs employees during the anti-epidemic measures of COVID-19 period protected public order and the safety of citizens in crowded places. During the pandemic, according to departmental statistics, morbidity rates in police officers were 6.6 times higher than in general population and close to the healthcare professionals. Due to police officers' professional activities, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated not only with high contamination risks, but also with certain emotional stress and destabilization.
Intention. To identify mental traumatization features in police officers who serve to protect public order and citizens safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology. 371 male employees of the Internal Affairs Headquarters in Moscow were surveyed. Three groups were identified: Group I - 127 police officers (average age 33.3 ± 1.1 years, service experience 6.1 ± 1.3 years) with positive test results and COVID-19 clinical manifestations (mild and moderate severity, inpatient and outpatient treatment) over the period from 10.04.2020 to 9.06.2020 (the restrictive measures and self-isolation period announced by the decree of the Russian Chief State Sanitary Doctor on 30.03.2020 N 9 “On additional measures to prevent the COVID-2019 spread in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic”); Group II - 118 healthy police officers (average age 30.9 ± 1.5 years, service experience 5.6 ± 1.9 years), without COVID-19 clinical manifestations but released from their duties as contacts; Group III - 126 healthy police officers (average age 32.4 ± 1.5 years, service experience 7.1 ± 1.9 years) not released from their duties during the COVID-19 pandemic, who protected public order in crowded places (patrolling streets, metro duty, etc.). Our questionnaire was intended for self-assessing mental state, and experimental psychological examination was also included. To meet the anti-epidemic requirements, respondents were surveyed online using electronic digital resources.
Results and Discussion. Based on self-assessment results, police officers in all groups showed high levels of well-being, mood, performance and emotional stability on duty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental traumatization in police officers of the Group 1 was associated with increased personal anxiety and responses to everyday situations tended to be maladaptive, with physical and verbal aggression, irritation. In Group 2 employees, mental trauma included emotional stress and situational anxiety associated with the COVID-19 risk. Healthy police officers who were not released from their duties during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to serve as law enforcement officers in crowded areas were prone to non-constructive responses to stress in the form of feelings of guilt, hostility, and irritability. In all respondents, constructive business relationships with direct managers and additional financial incentives helped prevent psychological trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion. The study results justify developing an algorithm for psycho-prevention in police officers during medical and biological emergencies, including psychological support, social support and a positive social environment in service teams. This will help prevent the psychological trauma and borderline mental disorders in police officers and, accordingly, increase their personal reliability and reduce damage to the Department image.

 

114-122 790
Abstract

Relevance. Despite a significant number of publications on volitional regulation in cadets of the institutions of higher education of EMERCOM of Russia, development of volitional regulation during training is still insufficiently studied. Conditions of training in higher education institutions of EMERCOM of Russia differ from civil educational institutions, which may determine the features of volitional regulation of behavior in cadets. In this regard, it is of interest to conduct a comparative analysis of the volitional regulation in cadets of different years and identify its features to improve organization of the educational process and professional training of future employees of the EMERCOM of Russia.
Intention: To study the features of volitional regulation in cadets of institutions of higher professional education of the EMERCOM of Russia.
Methodology. The study involved 100 cadets of the Academy of the State Fire Service of the EMERCOM of Russia aged 17 to 22 years. The first group (n = 50) included first-year cadets, the second group (n = 50) - third-year cadets. Standardized psychodiagnostic methods were used to study the features of volitional regulation and volitional qualities of cadets. Statistical evaluation of the results was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's F-test.
Results and Discussion. Most cadets in both groups, when implementing one or another intention, tend to perform an action. Meanwhile, third-year cadets are more often guided by their current mental state. We believe this is due to the conditions of training, namely, training in educational institutions of a closed or open type. According to the comparative analysis of selfcontrol indicators, freshmen show a higher level of self-control than cadets of the third year in the emotional sphere, activity and behavior. Self-esteem of volitional qualities tended to decrease by the third year of study, while the general profile of selfesteem of volitional qualities remains similar in both groups, which is probably due to perception of difficulties in the freshmen and their motivation for social approval. In a sample of students from a civilian university, similar trends were revealed. The assessment of the variance of psychodiagnostic indicators among cadets showed their greater homogeneity among 1st year cadets than among 3rd year cadets, which is possibly due to changes in education conditions, decreased external control over students, and other reasons.
Conclusion. Indicators of volitional regulation in cadets of different years differed. Recommendations are suggested for psychologists providing support for the educational process. The ways of further research are outlined to study the structure of personality volitional qualities and relationship between self-control, volitional regulation and meaning-in-life orientations.



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ISSN 1995-4441 (Print)
ISSN 2541-7487 (Online)