The Little India riot: experience of an emergency department in Singapore

Lee, Wei Feng; Ooi, Chee Kheong; Phua, Dong Haur; Wong, Ming Hai Eric; Chan, Wui Ling; Ng, Yih Yng

doi:10.11622/smedj.2015188

Cited by 3 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Other studies examining this topic do not report mortality rates. 1,5 This variation in mortality rates among patients with riot-related injuries may be a result of the numerous available forms of less-lethal weapons that can be used to incapacitate rioters and which may result in different types of injuries and subsequently different rates of deaths that are setting-and country-specific.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Riot victims are usually hemodynamically stable on presentation (medium to low triage severity score) 1,2 and are predominantly male. 1,5,6 Patients present mainly with abrasions and lacerations 1 affecting the head/neck and extremities, which are the most commonly injured body regions. 1,2,5,6 This study was also consistent with the existing medical literature regarding hospital resource utilization, diagnostic measures, and patient disposition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…C ivil unrest results from unresolved disputes and can lead to organized mass gatherings and protests with resulting riots or violent public disturbances, destruction of property, and compromised safety of bystanders or participating individuals. Riots can challenge the emergency medical system because of the large number of casualties involved 1,2 and the lack of physician familiarity with the full extent of injuries caused by weapons used by security forces to incapacitate rioters. 3 In the summer of 2015, Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, experienced a garbage crisis resulting from failure to collect and dispose of the local rubbish; this eventually resulted in huge piles of garbage in the streets.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing literature that describes the impact of riots on the medical system is setting specific, in that the types of less-lethal weapons used to contain rioters determine the resulting types of injuries and, accordingly, the hospital resources that are utilized. 1,2,5 To date, riot-related mass casualty events have not been previously described in Beirut, Lebanon. This study describes the impact of a riot-type mass casualty event.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riots in Beirut: Description of the Impact of a New Type of Mass Casualty Event on the Emergency System in Lebanon

Warea

Sasso

Bachir

et al. 2019

Disaster med. public health prep.

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Introduction:In the summer of 2015, Beirut experienced a garbage crisis that led to rioting. Riot control measures resulted in multiple casualties. This study examines injury patterns of riot victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in a developing country.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical Center between August 22 and August 30, 2015. Patients seen in the emergency department with riot injuries were included. Patient characteristics, injuries, and resources utilized in the emergency department were analyzed.Results:Ninety-five patients were identified. Most patients presented to the emergency department within a short time period. The mean age of the patients was 28.0 ± 8.7 years. Most (90.5%) of the patients were males and 92.6% were protestors. Emergency medical services were utilized by 41.0% of patients. Laceration was the most common presenting complaint (28.5%), and blunt trauma was the most common type of injury (50.5%). The head/face/neck was the most common injured body region (55.8%). Most patients did not require blood tests or procedures (91.6% and 61.0%, respectively), and 91.2% of patients were treated in the emergency department and discharged. One patient required intensive care unit admission and another was dead on arrival.Conclusions:Most patients had mild injuries on presentation. The emergency department experienced a high influx of patients. Complications and deaths can occur from seemingly nonlethal weapons used during riots and warrant effective prehospital and hospital disaster planning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riots in Beirut: Description of the Impact of a New Type of Mass Casualty Event on the Emergency System in Lebanon

Warea

Sasso

Bachir

et al. 2019

Disaster med. public health prep.

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“…(35) The short-lived upheaval in Little India was reported by emergency doctors caring for victims of the riot. (36) …”

Section: Smj Through the Past 55 Yearsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The social transformation of Singapore medicine through 55 years of the SMJ

Kua

2016

smedj

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The Singapore Medical Journal (SMJ) has in the past 55 years reflected the phenomenal socioeconomic progress of Singapore. Publications in the pre-independent years were mainly on diseases like cholera, diphtheria, leprosy, tetanus and worm infestation. In the new millennium, the research papers included molecular genetics, health economics, obesity, Internet medicine, cancer, cosmetic surgery and palliative medicine. The annual SMA Lecture published in the SMJ provides an ethical compass for doctors to remind them of primum non nocere.

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