학술논문
Lack of Public Awareness and Prehospital Care in Severe Trauma Patients: The Weakest Link in the Indian Healthcare System.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Singhal A; Critical Care Medicine, Max Sahara Hospital, Lucknow, IND.; Sharma G; Orthopaedics, Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, IND.; Shah D; Emergency Medicine, Visionnaire Emergency Care Services, Noida, IND.; Dubey S; Emergency Medicine, LN Medical College and Research Center, Bhopal, IND.; Kalra M; Emergency Medicine, Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, IND.; Khan S; Emergency Medicine, LN Medical College and Research Center, Bhopal, IND.
Source
Publisher: Cureus, Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101596737 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2168-8184 (Print) Linking ISSN: 21688184 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cureus Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2168-8184
Abstract
Introduction: Management of trauma involves both in-hospital and prehospital care. The level of prehospital care plays a vital role in trauma management. Low- and middle-income countries are still in the nascent stages of development of their emergency medical services (EMS) systems. Also, there have been insufficient studies assessing the availability and level of prehospital care in developing nations such as India. Therefore, we decided to study the level of awareness and prehospital care given to severe trauma patients.
Materials and Methods: We conducted this prospective observational study at the emergency department of Fortis Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in Northern India. All adults between ages 18 and 85 years presenting with severe trauma (immediate life- or limb-threatening conditions requiring emergent intervention) were included. We measured the primary outcome in terms of why people did not avail EMS. We measured secondary outcomes in terms of intervention done in patients coming to us via EMS.
Results: Out of 101 patients, 89 (88.12%) were transported to Fortis Hospital through non-EMS, whereas only 12 (11.88%) patients were transported by EMS. We found the difference to be statistically significant. The major reason given for not summoning advanced trauma care services in patients was a lack of awareness about the potential benefits of EMS (n = 64 [72%]), followed by a lack of availability (n = 24 [27%]), and financial reasons (n = 1 [1.1%]).
Conclusion: We conclude that the level of awareness about EMS for severe trauma patients was found to be low in our study. There is a need for an awareness-creation program across the nation to fill this gap.
Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Fortis Hospital Institutional Ethics Committee (FHIEC) issued approval FHIEC/2018/03. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
(Copyright © 2024, Singhal et al.)
Materials and Methods: We conducted this prospective observational study at the emergency department of Fortis Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in Northern India. All adults between ages 18 and 85 years presenting with severe trauma (immediate life- or limb-threatening conditions requiring emergent intervention) were included. We measured the primary outcome in terms of why people did not avail EMS. We measured secondary outcomes in terms of intervention done in patients coming to us via EMS.
Results: Out of 101 patients, 89 (88.12%) were transported to Fortis Hospital through non-EMS, whereas only 12 (11.88%) patients were transported by EMS. We found the difference to be statistically significant. The major reason given for not summoning advanced trauma care services in patients was a lack of awareness about the potential benefits of EMS (n = 64 [72%]), followed by a lack of availability (n = 24 [27%]), and financial reasons (n = 1 [1.1%]).
Conclusion: We conclude that the level of awareness about EMS for severe trauma patients was found to be low in our study. There is a need for an awareness-creation program across the nation to fill this gap.
Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Fortis Hospital Institutional Ethics Committee (FHIEC) issued approval FHIEC/2018/03. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
(Copyright © 2024, Singhal et al.)