Assessment of the Knowledge of Blast Injuries Management among Physicians Working in Tripoli Hospitals (Libya)

Abstract

Introduction No study on hospital staff preparedness for managing blast injuries has been conducted in Libya. The internal conflict in Libya since 2011 and the difficulties faced by the hospitals has highlighted the need for such studies. Hypothesis Physicians working in Tripoli (capital city Libya) hospitals are inadequately prepared for the management of blast injuries.

Methods: A survey was conducted in all 13 hospitals in Tripoli between June 2014 and May 2015 by using interviews based on a questionnaire consisting of 29 questions covering physicians' education related to blast injury, hospital management of mass casualties, and aspects of hospital preparedness for such incidents.

Results: Of 3,799 physicians working in Tripoli hospitals, 607 physicians were interviewed (16.0%). All but one of the physicians reported that there was no disaster response plan, none of them had read such a plan, 496 (81.7%) reported that hospitals were not prepared, and 471 (77.6%) that hospitals were not equipped for blast injuries. Though 414 (68.2%) reported that radiological equipment was available, 597 (98.3%) revealed that hospitals do not adopt training for blast injury. Only 39 (6.4%) had received professional training, though 183 (30.1%) were seeing blast injury patients at least once a week in their daily practice. Nevertheless, 185 (30.5%) had previous knowledge and experience in blast injuries management and 338 (55.70%) were aware of the major physical findings, but only 75 (12.4%) were following specific guidelines. According to approximately one-third of the physicians (192; 31%), staff and patient safety were not priorities for the hospital administration. Almost all (606; 99.9%) revealed that personal protective equipment for chemical and nuclear accidents was not available.

Conclusion: Preparedness for blast injuries in Tripoli hospitals is seriously deficient. Planning optimized blast and disaster management in Libya is essential. Oun AM , Hadida EM , Stewart C . Assessment of the knowledge of blast injuries management among physicians working in Tripoli hospitals (Libya). Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):311-316.

Keywords: ATLS Advanced Trauma Life Support; BLS Basic Life Support; HAZAMAT Hazardous Material; HMIMMS Hospital Major Incident Medical Management and Support; MIMMS Major Incident Medical Management and Support; NDLS National Disaster Life Support; Libya; blast injuries; disaster medicine; hospitals; needs.