title: Hygiene and emergency. Considerations and proposals for improving hygiene and health features of Advanced Medical Post.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last decades has been recorded, both nationally and internationally, a significant increase in disasters with a high number of deaths and injuries involved. The presence at the venue of the Advanced Medical Post (AMP) has improved the survival of the affected population. However, these temporary structures, not according to common standards relating to health hospital environments are devoid of design guidelines and technologies designed to hygiene and safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  Starting from the inquiry into the functioning and the structure of an Advanced Medical Post through interviews, questionnaires and joint activities with Italian organizations and structures, a number of measures have been established for the improvement of health standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Through the survey and questionnaires developed for this purpose it was possible to determine the most hygienically critical areas and then several solutions were processed and evaluated (in synergy with associations previously interviewed). The most important priorities to satisfy were the hygiene improvement to be achieved through the use of specific materials (fabrics antimicrobial ...), the study of the articulation inside the operating room and intensive care of AMP (insulation and Zoning filter ...) and the definition of more efficient technological systems-plant (ventilation, aeration, lighting...). Therefore the solution proposed involves the use of a new layer fabric for mounting inside of curtains already supplied to the main associations and a series of technological devices and installations for limiting the spread of virus-bacteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of this new unit for AMP modules could give a significant contribution to achieving high standards of hygiene during health care assistance in critical situations (maxi-emergencies and disasters) which, unfortunately, are actually becoming more frequent.
authors.affiliation: Department BEST Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capolongo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buffoli
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tognolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oppio
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D012499:Sanitation / Q000592:standards*