COP21 - Organization and Assessment of Medical Response Under Extreme Pressure

Introduction: The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) brought together delegations from around the world in France, with 20,000 delegates from 195 countries in attendance each day, including 150 heads of state during the first 48 hours. A specialized medical response was organized under the unique “post-attack” circumstances and amid significant constraints resulting from the establishment of a zone under the sole authority of the UN (the Blue Zone). Objective: to assess the medical resources deployed and the care provided.Methods: Medical operations managed by SAMU 93 in collaboration with the regional SAMU and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) for the entire site, including the Blue Zone. Evaluation criteria: personnel deployed, number of consultations, and number of evacuations, including medical evacuations.Results: In the “France Zone” (operational command post): one dispatch physician and one assistant for 20 days. In the “Blue Zone”: 20 first responders, one 24/7 SMUR medical team, and two emergency physicians (consultations) on 12-hour shifts for 16 days. In total, 47 physicians, 25 nurses, 25 SMUR paramedics, and 20 assistants participated in the medical response. This corresponded to three full-time equivalents (FTEs) of emergency physicians over 16 days. Consultations performed: 1,238, or 97 per day, resulting in 34 (3%) evacuations, seven of which were medical evacuations. Of the patients, 706 (57%) were men and 495 (43%) were women, with a mean age of 43 ± 1 years. Traumatic injuries were the most common (20%). Conclusion: Significant medical resources were deployed over the 16-day period. Medical activity was sustained, but medical evacuations were rarely required.

Author(s): Chanzy E, Gentile M, Nahon M, Paty AC, Stibbe O, Tourtier JP, Petrovic T, Goix L, Adnet F, Lapostolle F

Publishing year: 2019

Pages: 201-204

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