Following a suspected electric shock whilst working on an elevator, a lift technicians assistant was admitted to the Christiaan Barnard memorial Hospital ER. In addition, the paramedic staff that brought the patient in, reported that he fell from ladder and presented in confused and disorientated manner. After being rapidly assessed, the patient was moved to the ICU for further examination and monitoring.
Electrical injuries:
The human body is a good conductor of electricity. Electrical injuries may be defined as damage to the skin or internal organs as a result of direct contact with an electrical current. An electric current may cause damage in three ways:
Common symptoms may include:
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Preventing Electric Shock:
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Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 140.
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.