Hyderabad blasts: VIPs told to keep away from hospitals

Hyderabad, Feb 23: With television cameras in tow, VVIPs are visiting the Hyderabad blasts victims and causing further trauma to them. Understandably the doctors and care givers are not happy but helpless. The VVIP visits hamper the treatment and also adversely affects the health of patients.

The doctos have advised against too many VIPs visiting the bomb blast victims undergoing treatment. Many political leaders, including state and central ministers, are making a beeline to pay a visit to blast victims who are being treated in eight hospitals. As many as 16 persons died and 119 were injured in the twin bombs that rocked Dilshuk Nagar area on Thursday evening.

Unfortunately, India does not have any guideline on VIPs visits to the trauma centres. There are reasons why other than medical staff nobody should be allowed into the critical care units. There is danger of cross-infection and further deterioration in the condition of the patients. Bombs and explosions can cause unique patterns of injury and they need proper examinations before specific treatment is given.

Predominant injuries involve multiple penetrating injuries and blunt trauma. Normally, a management of blast injuries begins with attention to airway, breathing, and circulation. Ventilatory and circulatory support is initiated and a rapid history of the patient is obtained. The patient's history is important for the course of treatment and prescription of kind of drugs.

Health experts have classified four types of bomb blast Injuries:

• Primary: Injury from over-pressurization force (blast wave) impacting the body surface - TM rupture, pulmonary damage and air embolization, hollow viscus injury.

• Secondary: Injury from projectiles (bomb fragments, flying debris) - Penetrating trauma, fragmentation injuries, blunt trauma.

• Tertiary: Injuries from displacement of victim by the blast wind - Blunt/penetrating trauma, fractures, and traumatic amputations.

• Quaternary: All other injuries from the blast - Crush injuries, burns, asphyxia, toxic exposures, exacerbation of chronic illness.

Even health care workers are also at risk of contracting various diseases due to exposure to blood and other body fluids. They risk exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

OneIndia News