Prompt triage and treatment of the persons with abdominal injuries after the earthquake

Abstract

The main causes of early mortality after the earthquake are traumatic shock, hemorrhage and dehydration, and the ratios of shock and hemorrhage are high in patients with abdominal injuries. Prompt triage is very important to persons with abdominal injuries who were rescued in 48 hours after the earthquake. Primary triage should be carried out in the rescue field, and then followed by the secondary triage in the hospital. We improved the efficiency and accuracy of triage by following the principle of 5 steps, 3 categories and 1 indication. Nineteen persons with identified abdominal injuries and unstable vital signs received operation. The false positive rate was 5% (1/19), and the successful rate of the operation was 95% (18/19). During the process of rescue, the lives of the injured persons should be put in the first place. The operation should be performed under the principle of simpleness, rapidity and safeness. Key words: Earthquake; Abdominal injury; Triage