RS05 ‘EARLY INVOLVEMENT OF SURGICAL TEAM IN MANAGING MINOR INJURIES IN RURAL HOSPITALS’ AN EASY WAY TO REDUCE WAITING TIME IN DEM

Abstract

Purpose: 1 To point out that in the area of chronic shortage of trained manpower in DEM, where existing surgical team may play a very big role. Despite many minor traumas are looked after by GPs continuously rural hospitals’ DEM turnover of such patients nearly 40%. 2 To emphasize that appropriately triaged ED patients and early involvement of surgical teams reduce the congestion in DEM and patient waiting time. Methodology: From January 2005 to Dec 2008 in a rural hospital a protocol has been set where round the clock any minor trauma are being discharged home after management in DEM should be consulted to the surgical registrar on call. With anticipation of difficult cases soon after triage surgical team would be informed earlier. Trauma needing hospitalisation was excluded from the list. After the analysis at the end of four years we found 10% of total DEM turnover is minor trauma with average annual total of 7000. Results: Waiting time was minimum in DEM. Follow ups in most cases been by GPs. And few needed follow up in surgical clinics bypassing revisit in DEM. Revision of wounds were satisfactory in most of the cases. Conclusion: 1 In rural hospital surgical team has a wider role. 2 Smaller procedures or repairs done in DEM may be a learning ground for starters. 3 It is a low risk but high yield way of team work in smaller hospitals. 4 Better patient satisfactions have been noticed always. 5 It is a cost effective way of trauma care.