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Heatwaves Impact on Prehospital Emergency Medicine: A Qualitative Study to Improve Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness in Veneto Region, Northern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Paganini

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Nikolaos Markou-Pappas

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Francesco Della Corte

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Paolo Rosi

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, 30174 Mestre-Venezia, Italy)

  • Giulio Trillò

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda ULSS 1 Dolomiti, 32044 Pieve di Cadore, Italy)

  • Marialuisa Ferramosca

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy)

  • Andrea Paoli

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda ULSS 5 Polesana, 45100 Rovigo, Italy)

  • Federico Politi

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda ULSS 8 Berica, 36100 Vicenza, Italy)

  • Adriano Valerio

    (Centrale Operativa SUEM 118, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy)

  • Andrea Favaro

    (Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Service, “San Bassiano” Hospital, Azienda ULSS 7 Pedemontana, 36061 Bassano del Grappa, Italy)

  • Ives Hubloue

    (ReGEDiM—Research Group on Emergency Disaster Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Luca Ragazzoni

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Francesco Barone-Adesi

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Hamdi Lamine

    (CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Heatwaves are periods of unusual heat, whose frequency and intensity is increasing. Heatwaves also translate into emergency healthcare dysfunctions, but evidence on how to mitigate these effects still needs to be provided. This multicentric study aimed to identify the interactions between heatwaves and prehospital emergency medicine (PHEM). After obtaining informed consent, PHEM personnel working full-time in different districts of the Veneto Region, Northern Italy, were recruited. Their perspective was captured through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis methodology. Thirteen subjects participated in the study. Their insights were categorized into four themes: perception of heatwaves; clinical impact of heatwaves; social factors and heatwaves; heatwaves and emergency medical service (EMS). According to the interviewees, the strain on EMSs during heatwaves may be partially reduced by interventions targeting vulnerable populations, primary care, social networks, and education and information. Specific public health actions could follow the surge science principles of staff, stuff, structure, and system to help policymakers improve EMS surge capacity planning, preparedness, and responses. The present study also identified PHEM vulnerabilities and targets of interventions to implement heat–health action plans, mitigate the risk of prehospital emergency care dysfunction, and improve EMS sustainability and preparedness against heatwaves and the changing climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Paganini & Nikolaos Markou-Pappas & Francesco Della Corte & Paolo Rosi & Giulio Trillò & Marialuisa Ferramosca & Andrea Paoli & Federico Politi & Adriano Valerio & Andrea Favaro & Ives Hubloue , 2024. "Heatwaves Impact on Prehospital Emergency Medicine: A Qualitative Study to Improve Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness in Veneto Region, Northern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6911-:d:1454730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Sue Smith & Alex J. Elliot & Shakoor Hajat & Angie Bone & Chris Bates & Gillian E. Smith & Sari Kovats, 2016. "The Impact of Heatwaves on Community Morbidity and Healthcare Usage: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Lefevre, Carmen E. & Bruine de Bruin, Wändi & Taylor, Andrea L. & Dessai, Suraje & Kovats, Sari & Fischhoff, Baruch, 2015. "Heat protection behaviors and positive affect about heat during the 2013 heat wave in the United Kingdom," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 282-289.
    4. Andrea Conti & Martina Valente & Matteo Paganini & Marco Farsoni & Luca Ragazzoni & Francesco Barone-Adesi, 2022. "Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities on the Health Effects of Heatwaves: A Systematic Review of Reviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
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