Whereas prevention ought to be the objective, it is usually essential to strengthen response programs equivalent to ambulances and entry to high quality trauma care. Photographs are used for consultant functions solely | Photograph courtesy of The Hindu
On common, round 20 individuals die in highway accidents each hour in India, most of them younger and productive individuals. Nonetheless, in lots of instances, the reason for an accident sufferer’s loss of life will not be the precise harm, however fairly what occurred instantly after the accident.
Understanding trauma care
In its most simple type, the “golden hour” concept states that the sooner emergency medical care is given to significantly injured sufferers, the higher their possibilities of survival. This phrase doesn’t strictly imply one hour. Relatively, it’s a reminder of the excessive mortality charges related to delayed medical intervention.
Sadly, in India, we frequently miss out on prime time. Varied research have proven that only a few critically injured sufferers are capable of attain medical amenities throughout the first hour, even when they’re close by.
Trauma care would not begin within the emergency room. Care begins on the scene of the accident. The few individuals on the scene of an accident or emergency could also be full strangers to one another, however they’ll imply every little thing to the sufferer. Easy, instant measures, equivalent to looking for medical assist, stopping huge blood loss, and opening the airway, can imply the distinction between life and loss of life.
Prevention and precautions
Roughly 170,000 deadly accidents happen on Indian roads yearly, most of which could be prevented by sporting helmets, fastening seatbelts, not driving too quick and avoiding distractions. The simplest therapy for trauma is trauma prevention.
The power of a trauma system is instantly proportional to public participation. Varied “Good Samaritan” actions are attempting to get the general public to supply medical help to accident victims with out worry of repercussions. Nonetheless, hesitancy nonetheless exists, primarily as a result of lack of awareness.
Listed below are some easy steps that each one residents can take throughout a disaster.
Give precedence to an ambulance
You possibly can name emergency providers directly
Keep away from crowds across the accident web site
Present right info to rescue groups
These steps will not be medical, however they’re nonetheless lifesaving.
Strengthening the system
Trauma continues to be one of many main causes of loss of life for Indians below 30 years of age. Whereas prevention ought to be the objective, it is usually essential to strengthen response programs, equivalent to entry to ambulances and high quality trauma care. Aside from this, fundamental steps taken by residents who have been on the scene or passing by may go a good distance in serving to victims. The last word objective of focus is not only to save lots of individuals throughout prime time, however to make sure that prime time will not be misplaced within the first place.
(Dr. Kesavan AR is Scientific Director and Senior Guide, Trauma and Orthopedics, Division of Orthopedics, MGM Healthcare, Chennai. kesavan.ar@mgmhealthcare.in)
