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Fatal Incidents (fatal + incident)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences80%

Selected Abstracts

The Politics of Hostage Rescue: Is Violence a Route to Political Success?

JOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2001
Joseph Scanlon
Over the years, law enforcement agencies have acquired extensive experience with hostage incidents, and most Western countries have officers trained in all aspects of hostage resolution. There are also articles and manuals outlining how to deal with the media coverage of hostage takings (Scanlon, 1989). However, because hostage rescue efforts can provide dramatic visuals that attract enormous audiences, the media have steadily intensified their coverage of such incidents. Today, a group of previously obscure persons can suddenly dominate the media agenda by successfully resisting an armed assault or by seizing hostages and calling themselves terrorists. After defining a hostage incident and looking at the strategy for dealing with such incidents, this article examines the implications of two fatal incidents: the stand-off involving religious fanatics at Waco, Texas; and the Air France hijacking that started in Algiers and ended in Marseille, France. Both became number one on the Western media agenda, and both became political crises involving the head of state; one threatening a president's credibility, the other enhancing a president's status. Together they suggest that the escalating media coverage of such incidents raises questions not only about the effectiveness of current response strategies, but also about political leadership. This article discusses a number of strategies that have been tried or suggested. It also debates whether involvement has a positive or negative effect on political leaders. It concludes that, from the evidence available, a successful hostage rescue can yield political rewards. [source]

Circumstances of fatal lockout/tagout-related injuries in manufacturing

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2008
Maria T. Bulzacchelli PhD
Abstract Background Over the past few decades, hundreds of manufacturing workers have suffered fatal injuries while performing maintenance and servicing on machinery and equipment. Using lockout/tagout procedures could have prevented many of these deaths. Methods A narrative text analysis of OSHA accident investigation report summaries was conducted to describe the circumstances of lockout/tagout-related fatalities occurring in the US manufacturing industry from 1984 to 1997. Results The most common mechanisms of injury were being caught in or between parts of equipment, electrocution, and being struck by or against objects. Typical scenarios included cleaning a mixer or blender, cleaning a conveyor, and installing or disassembling electrical equipment. Lockout procedures were not even attempted in the majority (at least 58.8%) of fatal incidents reviewed. Conclusions Lockout/tagout-related fatalities occur under a wide range of circumstances. Enhanced training and equipment designs that facilitate lockout and minimize worker contact with machine parts may prevent many lockout/tagout-related injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:728,734, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Latest news and product developments

PRESCRIBER, Issue 19 2008
Article first published online: 16 OCT 200
ARBs less effective than ACE inhibitors? The efficacy of angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) in preventing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients has been challenged by the findings of a large randomised trial (Lancet 2008 published online; doi 10.1016/ S0140-6736(08)61242-8). In the TRANSCEND trial, 5926 patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes with end-organ damage who could not tolerate ACE inhibitor therapy were randomised to placebo or telmisartan (Micardis) 80mg per day in addition to standard therapies. After 56 months, mean blood pressure was lower with telmisartan (by 4.0/2.2mmHg) but there were no significant differences between telmisartan and placebo in the risk of cardiovascular events , a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalisation for heart failure. Hospitalisation for cardiovascular reasons were slightly but significantly reduced by telmisartan (33 vs 30 per cent). MHRA: fentanyl patch errors potentially fatal Errors in dosing, accidental exposure and enhanced absorption from heat exposure have resulted in life-threatening and fatal incidents with transdermal fentanyl, warns the MHRA in its latest Drug Safety Update (September 2008). There is also evidence that fentanyl patches are being prescribed for nonlicensed indications, including treatment of opioid-naive patients. Other topics in this issue include managing adverse reactions to HPV vaccine and an update on new cases of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy associated with natalizumab (Tysabri). Call for DURG research The Drug Utilisation Research Group is inviting abstracts for oral and poster presentations at its 20th annual meeting on 5 February 2009. The theme of the morning session is ,Whose prescribing budget is it anyway?'. Abstracts will be accepted on any drug utilisation research studies and will be published in the Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. Information is available at www.durg.org.uk the deadline for submissions is 1 December. Early bromocriptine no benefit in Parkinson's Initiating treatment of Parkinson's disease with the dopamine agonist bromocriptine offers no long-term benefit compared with levodopa, the UK Parkinson's Disease Research Group trial has shown (Neurology 2008;71:474-80). After 14 years' follow-up of 166 patients, there were no differences in the prevalence of motor complications, dementia or mortality, but levodopa was associated with superior scores of disability and physical functioning. The authors say the belief that early dopamine agonist treatment is neuroprotective in Parkinson's disease should be abandoned. Ezetimibe with statin cancer risk ,not credible' Analysis of data pooled from two large trials provides ,no credible evidence' that ezetimibe (Ezetrol) is associated with an increased risk of cancer when added to statin therapy (N Engl J Med 2008 published online; doi 10.1056/NEJMsa0806603). A possible link with increased risk of cancer with ezetimibe plus simvastatin was suggested by the SEAS trial (N Engl J Med 2008 published online; doi 10.1056/NEJMoa 0804602). This hypothesis was tested in two trials involving more than 20 500 patients over 1.0-2.7 years. There was no excess of cancer overall or at particular sites; cancer deaths were more numerically but not significantly higher with ezetimibe and there was no evidence of increased risk with duration of treatment. Telmisartan provides no advantage after stroke Adding telmisartan (Micardis) to standard treatment after ischaemic stroke does not reduce morbidity, US investigators report (N Engl J Med 2008 published online; doi 10.1056/NEJMoa 0804593). A total of 20 332 patients with recent ischaemic stroke were randomised to placebo or telmisartan 80mg per day in addition to antiplatelet therapy and antihypertensive agents. After 2.5 years, blood pressure was 3.8/2.0mmHg lower in patients taking telmisartan but there were no significant differences from placebo in the risks of recurrent stroke, cardiovascular events or new-onset diabetes. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd [source]

Farm-related fatal injury of young and older adults in Australia, 1989,1992

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2002
Rebecca J. Mitchell
Abstract: This paper describes the types of, and circumstances surrounding, unintentional farm-related fatal injuries involving young and older adults in Australia. Information was obtained from an inspection of coronial files for the period 1989,1992. Around 14% of all farm-related fatalities in Australia during 1989,1992 were of young adults aged 15,24 years and approximately one-quarter were of older adults aged , 55 years. Young adults were commonly fatally injured in motor vehicle incidents and in incidents involving firearms. Tractors were the most common agent involved in fatal incidents involving older adults. Intervention measures to prevent fatalities of older adults in agriculture should focus on the safe use of tractors, while for young adults it appears prevention efforts should centre around safe use of firearms and operation of motor vehicles on the farm. Ways to overcome barriers to the use of injury prevention measures in rural Australia should be further explored. [source]

FARM-RELATED FATAL INJURY OF YOUNG AND OLDER ADULTS IN AUSTRALIA, 1989,1992

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2002
Rebecca J. Mitchell
ABSTRACT: This paper describes the types of, and circumstances surrounding, unintentional farm-related fatal injuries involving young and older adults in Australia. Information was obtained from an inspection of coronial files for the period 1989,1992. Around 14% of all farm-related fatalities in Australia during 1989,1992 were of young adults aged 15,24 years and approximately one-quarter were of older adults aged? 55 years. Young adults were commonly fatally injured in motor vehicle incidents and in incidents involving firearms. Tractors were the most common agent involved in fatal incidents involving older adults. Intervention measures to prevent fatalities of older adults in agriculture should focus on the safe use of tractors, while for young adults it appears prevention efforts should centre around safe use of firearms and operation of motor vehicles on the farm. Ways to overcome barriers to the use of injury prevention measures in rural Australia should be further explored. [source]