Proactive management of natural disasters- management of Injury

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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