Analysis of Injury Patients and Emergency Rescue in "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake

Objective:This study aimed to provide an overview of morbidity and mortality among patients admitted the West China Hospital of the Medicine Faculty of Sichuan University,after the 2008 wenchuan earthquake.To evaluate the disaster response of the emergency services receiving patients after a major earthquake.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 685 earthquake victims.A total of 685 patients with earthquake related injures and illness admitted to our hospital were included and divided into four main groups:(1)Crush syndrome(n=21),(2)Extremity fractures,pelvis and spine injuries(n=503),(3)vital organ injuries(n=134),(4)non-traumatic but earthquake related illness(n=27).Patients'demographic data,age,sex,diagnosis,dispositions,prognosis and mortality rates were reviewed.Results:A total of 685 patients with earthquake related injures and illness admitted to our hospital were included and divided into four main groups:The rate of mortality associated with the crush syndrome,0.14%(1/685),bone fracture,vital organ injury,and non-traumatic medical problems was 0%(0/685),0.875%(6/685),0.583%(4/685),respectively.72.59 Per cent of patients were hospitalized during the first three days after the earthquake.The overall mortality rate was 1.605%(11/685).Conclusion:In the first 24-48 hours after a major earthquake,hospital emergency departments are flooded with large numbers of patients.Among this patient load,those patients with crush syndrome or vital organ injuries are particularly at risk.Proper triage and prompt treatment of these seriously injured earthquake victims may decrease morbidity and mortality.Early diagnosis and proper treatment should be done to improve survival.It is hoped that this review of the challenges met after the Wenchuan earthquake and the lessons learned will be of use to emergency department physicians as well as hospital emergency planners in preparing for future natural disaster.