ARMC's Dr. Neeki Participates in Disaster Response Research

Michael M. Neeki, D.O., contributes to research study focused on improving mass-casualty disaster response efforts around the world.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s Director of Clinical Research and Tactical Medicine Michael M. Neeki, D.O., participated in a recently published research study, “Sudden-Onset Disaster Mass-Casualty Incident Response: A Modified Delphi Study on Triage, Prehospital Life Support, and Processes.” The study objective was to align common principles of approach to improve mass-casualty disaster response.

Disasters include, but are not limited to, mass-casualty incidents, such as targeted terror attacks or mass-shootings of civilian populations that cause hemorrhagic shock injuries, as well as natural disasters or faulty construction causing crush injuries. The research focused on enhancing first responder capabilities by reviewing evidence-based guidelines for mass-casualty incident triage, prehospital life support and damage control interventions, as well as prehospital processes which include the use of state-of-the-art technological tools.

“I have dedicated my career to advancing emergency medical care through clinical research. With mass-casualty disasters on the rise, such as mass-shooting incidents, natural disasters, and terror attacks around the globe, we have found that preparedness through education, training, and the creation of practical strategies and prehospital capabilities is how we can save lives,” said Dr. Neeki.

Research findings include, but are not limited to, advancement in improvement in analgesic care, as well as advancement in emergency transportation processes. Contemporary research focuses on the use of nerve blocking interventions and ketamine as an analgesic agent in the field. Furthermore, in a comprehensive review on permissive hypotension used to treat hemorrhagic shock following trauma it was discovered that it is both practical and safe to use permissive hypotension to treat hemorrhagic shock in prehospital and in-hospital settings. Additionally, findings also focused on the introduction of a “Red Surgical Category,” which informs first responders of the closest surgical hospital pertaining to a patient’s emergency.

“We at ARMC are incredibly proud of Dr. Neeki’s recent disaster response research. As a Level I trauma center and the region’s leading burn center, we value his commitment to educating and treating our community with cutting-edge, evidenced-based methodologies,” said William Gilbert, ARMC Hospital Director.

About Dr. Neeki: Michael M. Neeki, D.O., M.S., FACEP, FAME, CCHP-P serves as a clinical professor of emergency medicine and faculty for the critical care surgical fellowship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). Dr. Neeki is the Chief Medical Officer for the San Bernardino County Department of Probation where he works with his team toward their goal of improving medical and psychiatric care for youths in the county juvenile care system. He also serves as the medical director for Rialto EMS, Fontana Police Department, and Inland Valley SWAT. Dr. Neeki obtained his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship and residency in emergency and flight medicine at Saint Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Academic Medical Educators. Throughout his career, Dr. Neeki has been active in collaborative research programs addressing health care disparities. He is a recipient of many awards recognizing his commitment to the improvement of science and his devotion to humanity. He is dedicated to improving clinical research, emergency medical care, and prevention of traumatic injuries by serving on the boards of regional institutional and EMS agencies.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is a 456-bed university-affiliated teaching hospital licensed by the State of California Department of Public Health, operated by San Bernardino County, and governed by the Board of Supervisors. It is ARMC’s mission, in an environment of learning and innovation, to serve our diverse community with high-quality, compassionate care. The hospital, located on a 70-acre campus in Colton, California, operates the Edward G. Hirschman Burn Center, a level I trauma center, a comprehensive stroke center, a behavioral health center, and five primary care centers. ARMC also provides more than 40 outpatient specialty care services. ARMC is helping to achieve the countywide vision by addressing the community’s wellness and educational needs. ARMC is the primary teaching hospital for the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM). The University welcomed its first class of students in 2018. For more information on CUSM, visit https://cusm.edu/. For more information about ARMC, visit https://www.arrowheadregional.org.