Objective To analyze retrospectively the 875 procedures of earthquake related patient in West China Hospital of Sichuan University after the Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide reference for the improvement of medical rescue for the disaster of earthquake and the establishment of state-level regional medical centers. Methods The analysis was based on the data provided by the Department of Information of the Hospital up until July 11. The software of Microsoft EXCEL was used for data input and statistical analysis. Results Up to July 11, 1 265 operations in earthquake injuries have been performed in the hospital, of which 875 were done in operating rooms. Initial peak of admission to hospital was positively correlated to peak of surgery performed, which the type of the operation was all emergency operation and most of which were amputation (43%). Second peak of surgery was 2 days delayed following admission to hospital. The type of operation mainly was elective surgeries. Most patients received second stage procedure-open reduction and internal fixation (61%). Conclusion Our hospital played a key part in rescue effort following such huge natural disaster. Our prompt response and effective leadership demonstrated our hospital’s flexibility and capability in the state-level hospital near the epicenter.
After Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, West China Medical School/ West China Hospital of Sichuan University organized a youth volunteer team for earthquake rescue and relief. A volunteer network was formed and relevant service regulations were formulated immediately. Volunteers have played an important role in post-earthquake evacuation of patients, emergency reception, ward care, on-call service, a service to help people find family members, telecommunications and some other major tasks.
Objective?To summarize the experience of medical rescue conducted in Aba prefecture after the Wenchuan earthquake in order to provide information for similar tasks in seismo-active regions. Methods?We participated and witnessed the whole process of medical rescue through 100 days after the quake. Data regarding the medical rescue work, work mode, performance and problems were collected and analyzed. Results?Twelve counties out of the 13 counties in Aba prefecture were affected by the earthquake, including 2 most-hit counties and 5 most-hit areas. A total of 20 233 people died and 7 873 disappeared. Aba Prefectural Headquarters for Earthquake Resistance and Disaster Relief was set up and medical rescue teams were dispatched to the disaster area immediately after the quake: ① From May 12 to May 15 2008, 20 local medical teams comprising 138 healthcare professionals and 14 teams involving 428 professionals from other regions arrived at the most-hit areas. Through 7 days after the quake, medical treatment was provided for 6 285 patient-times. ② A total of 1 444 healthcare professionals participated in the medical rescue work. Through August 20, 355 579 outpatients and 7 028 inpatients were treated in the prefectural medical institutions and on-site medical centers. Of those, 6 726 were discharged, 604 were severely wounded, 20 died and 456 were transferred to other regions for further treatment. 2 703 operations were performed for the wounded and psychological treatment was provided for 4 630 person-times. Conclusion?The medical rescue work in Aba prefecture after the Wenchuan earthquake was effective and efficient. Management of human resources and medical devices should be strengthened to enhance the ability of emergency response.
Objective To systematically analyze and compare the casualties’ medical evacuation (ME) in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes, so as to provide useful references for earthquake casualties’ ME in the future. Methods The data about casualties’ ME in Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes were collected from the field research, work statement of the Ministry of Health, official websites, and literatures. And the descriptive analysis was then performed. Results From Wenchuan to Yushu, the principle of ME tended to be “early evacuation, all evacuation”; the evacuation level was gradually simplified, the casualties were evacuated directly from the disaster area to the rear hospital through highway and railway, or air evacuation became the major method of ME; triage became less prominent, while specialist treatment was strived as early as possible. Conclusion The early establishment of appropriate evacuation principles, building of a simplified evacuation system, ensuring adequate medical transport capacity, and scientific assessment of treatment capacity at all levels are the main issues of effective and safe ME after earthquakes that require to be solved urgently.
Objective To provide references for production and dissemination of evidence in the fields of medical emergency management, treatment, and prevention of epidemics after May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake by systematically reviewing, analyzing, and comparing quake related papers in medical journals. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE and CBM (Chinese Biomedical Literature) databases (range: from inception to Sept. 2009). Quake related papers were imported into EndNote software, checked for duplication, and categorized by predefined standards. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0. Results There were relatively fewer quake related articles globally before the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake, and the quantity of papers in MEDLINE was four times than that in CBM. In contrast, the quantity of Chinese quake articles increased rapidly after Wenchuan earthquake, peaking in Aug. 2008 at 6.9 times the average during the 50 years before the quake. The quake related papers in CBM appeared in 378 journals covering a diverse range of subject matter. Meanwhile, there was little change in the quantity of quake related articles in MEDLINE database. Conclusions The effort of producing and disseminating Wenchuan earthquake related medical research has been effectively organized and conducted in a scientific and timely manner, producing the largest in number of quake related medical papers in human history. It has provided first-hand guidance for disaster medical relief around the globe. We should strengthen the systematic construction of disaster medicine, and make an effort to summarize and disseminate evidence in the fields of rehabilitation, system reestablishment, and prevention of epidemics.
Objective To analyze the performance of epidemic prevention of Sichuan Province in the reconstruction stage after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide references for future epidemic prevention when such emergencies occur. Methods Data about the relief work were collected from the archives of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in earthquake-stricken areas. And then the data were classified and analyzed. Results In the reconstruction stage, epidemic prevention followed principals of local-based, local-management, assistance-relied and joint -forces-pushed. The strategies included strengthening the capacity of CDCs through personnel training and improving abilities of hygiene service. Owing to these strategies, the epidemic prevention in Sichuan Province was conducted vigorously, orderly and effectively. Conclusion The epidemic prevention strategies in the reconstruction stage in Sichuan Province are accurate and effective, which could be recommended when such emergencies occur in future.
Objective To summarize the treatment and outcomes of patients with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma following the Wenchuan earthquake. Methods The wounded patients admitted from 12th to 31st May with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma after the earthquake were retrospectively analyzed. This includes baseline information, treatments, outcomes and deaths. Results Liver repair, spleen abscission, decompression and removed of intracranial hematoma ranked the first three of the main reasons for the emergency surgery death of multiple injuries. Heart-lung machine support, trachea cannula and closed drainage of thoracic cavity ranked the first three of the main reasons for the death of thoracic trauma. Moreover, ARDS, fracture of sternum and flail chest ranked the first three of the main reasons for the death of other multiple injuries. All the casualties had the worst situation with high ISS scores. The main death reasons were cerebral wound, peritoneum viscera injuries and the four limbs and pelvis injuries. Besides, the severe thoracic trauma accelerated their death. Conclusion Main death reasons for the inpatients with multiple injuries combined with thoracic trauma are hemorrhagic shock and severe cerebral wound. The thoracic trauma degree will increase the risk of their death. The more the injury positions, the higher ISS scores, and the more serious thoracic trauma, the higher mortality rate. Rapid examination and diagnosis, rapied triage and distribution of thoracic trauma can help to create more chances for the further treatment and increase the success rate of rescue.
After the May 12th Wenchuan earthquake, the Department of Architecture and Operation of West China Hospital took prompt action to examine the damage of the hospital buildings. And then experts were invited to perform a safety evaluation of all the hospital buildings. Meanwhile, a real-time monitoring system was initiated to identify any subsequent damage caused by after-shocks. In timely response to the clinical demand, potential dangers were removed so as to ensure the medical rescue work for the wounded.
Objective To retrospectively analyze medical treatment during the Wenchuan earthquake and evaluate emergency medical work. Methods On the basis of the data reported to the provincial disaster relief headquarter by cities and counties around Sichuan province, we established a database for data processing by using SPSS 11.0. And descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results The emergency response of Sichuan health system was quick, effective and well-organized. Conclusion In the face of extraordinary disaster, Sichuan province satisfactorily completed its work on emergency medical treatment despite the unimaginable enormous workload and difficulty, and achieved an initial success on earthquake relief.