Emergency Care Forum, Cape Town:
Christiaan Barnard Trauma and Emergency Center recently hosted the first Emergency Care Forum meeting, and received an amazing response. Thanks to all of those who attended and contributed to the success of the evening. And to all those who could not make it, we look forward to see you at our next meeting. The topics under discussion for the evening included a talk on current Therapeutic Hypothermia strategies...
Above, a diagram detailing the path of Therapeutic Hypothermia from the arrival of the EMS to rewarming and discharge. Right, a patient about to leave Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital ICU (currently on ECMO) after being treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia and now being repatriated to his country of origin. |
...And from the current application to future applications of Therapeutic Hypothermia and the possibility of it's role in the Space Program transporting people to Mars...
...And discussions revolving around the need for the formal development of a Trauma System for the Private Sector in the Western Cape...
So what exactly is a Trauma System and why do we need one?
A Trauma System may be defined as "...an organised approach to the acutely injured patient that provides personnel, facilities, and equipment for optimum care on an emergency basis." "A trauma system deals with the prevention of trauma, the emergency and subsequent hospital treatment and rehabilitation. The requirements comprise an efficient pre-hospital service with field triage guidelines. The patient must be taken to the most appropriate facility according to the severity of injury." |
(Nicol A, Navsaria P. Advances in Trauma Surgery. CME.2007.25;7:320).
Systems of this nature are further compounded by the diversity of the private health care sector, and the distance between facilities. Please could we ask you to join the forum bellow, and help in creating and providing comments and your experiences regarding the concept of a Trauma System for the Western Cape.
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.