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patient-centric hurricane evacuation management system
Title
A patient-centric hurricane evacuation management system.
Creator
Ambrose, Arny Isonja, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description
The use of wireless sensor networks for a myriad of applications is increasing. They can be used in healthcare for emergency management. In Florida, hurricanes are the main source of natural disasters. There has been a high incidence of hurricanes over the past decade. When a hurricane warning is issued it is important that people who live in potentially dangerous areas, such as along the coast, evacuate for their safety. Nursing homes and other care facilities for elderly or disabled people...
Show moreThe use of wireless sensor networks for a myriad of applications is increasing. They can be used in healthcare for emergency management. In Florida, hurricanes are the main source of natural disasters. There has been a high incidence of hurricanes over the past decade. When a hurricane warning is issued it is important that people who live in potentially dangerous areas, such as along the coast, evacuate for their safety. Nursing homes and other care facilities for elderly or disabled people experience difficulty with the evacuation as their residents require additional assistance. The characteristics and challenges of a hurricane evacuation are investigated. A patient-centric hurricane evacuation management system is proposed to allow healthcare providers the ability to continuously monitor and track patients. During a hurricane there are usually scarce energy resources and a loss of basic communication services such as cellular service and Internet access. We propose the architecture of the system that allows it to operate in the absence of these services. The hardware and software architectures are also presented along with the main phases of operation. The system was then validated and the performance evaluated via simulation using the OPNET Modeler.
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Date Issued
2011
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3329832
Subject Headings
Emergency management, Planning, Evacuation of civilians, Planning, Emergency medical services, Planning, Disaster medicine, Planning, Medical informatics, Wireless communication systems, Internet in medicine, Telecommunication in medicine
Format
Document (PDF)
Survival and decontamination of potential bio-warfare agents on hospital surfaces
Title
Survival and decontamination of potential bio-warfare agents on hospital surfaces.
Creator
Moench, Ian, Florida Atlantic University, Esiobu, Nwadiuto
Abstract/Description
Effective decontamination of infectious agents on critical and other hospital surfaces will drastically reduce nosocomial infections and impacts of any biological attack. This research determined the distribution of multiple species of bacteria on 16 different surfaces in two hospitals over a period of time to identify potential reservoirs of infection. The relative efficacy of current hospital disinfectants on endospores were also evaluated to inform policy. Using simulations of endospore...
Show moreEffective decontamination of infectious agents on critical and other hospital surfaces will drastically reduce nosocomial infections and impacts of any biological attack. This research determined the distribution of multiple species of bacteria on 16 different surfaces in two hospitals over a period of time to identify potential reservoirs of infection. The relative efficacy of current hospital disinfectants on endospores were also evaluated to inform policy. Using simulations of endospore-laden surfaces under laboratory conditions, the effects of exposure time, disinfectant concentration and possible synergies with endospore germination stimulant were evaluated. Keyboards, phones, door handles and bed rails were identified as risky hospital surfaces. The location and use of the surfaces were significant determinants of bacterial load. None of the disinfectants tested was sporicidal (<50% reduction). The results of this unique study provide healthcare personnel with a practical guide to control the spread of infection during peace and bio-warfare times.
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Date Issued
2005
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13215
Subject Headings
Bioterrorism--Health aspects, Emergency management--United States, Health facilities--Sanitation--United States, Bioterrorism--United States--Prevention, Disaster medicine, Disinfection and disinfectants
Format
Document (PDF)