Re: Proactive management of natural disasters

[Guest guest]

Hi,

During natural disasters we do get huge rush of relatives, friends,

curious population, media, authorities in the hospital. Infact it is

this congregation which disturbs smooth working and creates more

problems and chaos for those involved in extending health service.

More time is wasted interacting with them.

It is understood that the relatives and friends of injured need to

have timely information. Hence there is strong need of a hospital

PRO to ensure flow of information. Similiarly a PA equipment is also

required outside the casualty for conveying information to the

masses.

For the collected people outside the hospital, arrangement has to be

made (away from the main gate)of a shade/ shelter, drinking water,

parking of vehicles,a canteen, PCO, security, and a speaker

connected to PA system of the hospital.

Media briefing can be done by the PRO at fixed time so that requests

from differnet press and TV channels are not accepted individually.

Among the doctors are persons with multifaceted skills. The head of

the institution has to identify these and accordingly pick and

choose the persons from paraclinical and preclinical departments and

prepare the list in advance, who will be assigned what role. Good

managers are required for :

- Traffic management and keeping the incoming line for ambulances to

reach the casualty

- Parking of visitor vehicles

- Shetler and provision like toilet, PCO, water, canteen etc for the

waiting visiting population

- Additional security for the mass congregation

- Information dissemination to the waiting relatives

- Media relations

- Provision of food packets for staff working beyond the call of duty

- Medicine supply

Vijay

> >

> >  

> > Dear Friends,

> >  

> > Injuries and drowning are two commonest health problems

> encountered, immediately after a natural disaster.

> >  

> > Important considerations for managing injured survivors having

> injuries should be categorized by severity of their injuries and

> treatment, prioritized in terms of available resources and chances

> for survival.

> >  

> > The underlying principle of treatment is allocation of resources

> in a manner ensuring the greatest health benefit for the greatest

> number.

> >  

> > Open wounds:should be considered as contaminated and should not

be

> closed.

> >  

> > ⤢ Debridement of dead tissue is essential.

> >  

> > Depending on the size of the wound, debridement may necessitate

a

> surgical procedure undertaken in appropriate conditions.

> >  

> > After debridement:

> > Wounds should be dressed with sterile dressings

> > Patients are scheduled for delayed primary closure.

> >  

> > ⤢Tetanus Prophylaxis is necessary for patients with open

wounds.

> Active immunization with

> > tetanus toxoid (TT) prevents tetanus.Scheduled as follows:

> >  

> > 1st dose 2nd dose 3rd dose at 0, 6 weeks & 6 months.

> >  

> > Severe injuries - Many injuries ie. spinal cord , complicated

> fractures & crush injury may be severe enough to lead to long term

> functional impairment and disability if not managed correctly.

> >  

> > Such injuries must be recognized and referred to specialty or

> tertiary hospitals (with proper position  and immobilization

> required) that can manage such cases and are appropriately

equipped

> with mobility aids, assistive devices and physiotherapy

> >  

> > I request esteem members to share their views on injury

management.

> >  

> > Trupti Swain

> >  

> >  

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Good preparedness, utilizing the past experience of trained personnel,

earmarking of the specialised workforce, preparation of SOPs,

installation of communication systems, detailed planning on paper with

assignment of tasks to specific officials in event of disaster,

collaborating with other organisations which can be helpful in such

situations, mock exercises, preparation of the networking list to

summon the support staff, refresher training to personnel are all

essentials of disaster management.

Vijay