An exclusive trauma operation theatre complex has been launched at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMCRI).
The 20-bedded unit situated adjacent to the Casualty will now provide better coordinated care round-the-clock for victims of traffic accidents or patients with fractures or injuries in the head, spine or abdomen. The state-of-art equipment includes new versions of CT/MRI machines, ventilatory support and an ambulance service.
The referral hospital which is located off the highway to Cuddalore can now expect to improve upon survival chances of road traffic accident victims on that stretch. Getting these victims into a hospital within the golden hour (one hour) of sustaining a traumatic injury can vastly improve survival rates and treatment outcomes.
“We see four or five road accident cases every day and 10 to 15 patients with other forms of injury,” said Dr. R. Krishnagopal, professor and head of orthopaedics at MGMCRI.
Though the general surgery and orthopaedic units will lead the management of the exclusive trauma surgery unit, the different forms of patient injuries will involve liaisons with many other specialities such as Emergency Medicine, Neurosurgery, Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Maxillo facial Surgery.
An estimated 60 per cent of patients visiting the MGMCRI are from nearby places falling in Tamil Nadu, doctors said.
The MGMCRI has also launched a trauma toll line (18004251008).
Coinciding with the launch of the trauma operation theatre, the MGMCRI had trauma care experts sharing current concepts on ‘golden hour trauma management’ with over 300 doctors, including professionals under its fold as well those in other hospitals.
The topics ranged from pre hospital care and disaster management to the care of patients with head injury, chest injury, abdominal injury and various fractures. Doctors were also updated on the role of the triage in prioritising treatment by determining the patients needing urgent medical care in case of natural calamities and accidents.
Dr. Robinson Smile, Emeritus Professor of Surgery emphasised the need to implement compulsory helmet rule to prevent fatal head injuries in two wheeler accidents. There was an urgent need to educate the public about road safety and basic first aid measures in an accident scenario, he said.
On reducing risk of domestic fire accidents, Prof. N. Ananthakrishnan, Dean, suggested three simple measures — avoiding cooking at ground level, lighting kerosene stoves while the fire was on and sleeping with lighted lamps in the room at night.
