Assessing Patient Demographics and Emergency Response Adaptation in a Primary-Level State Hospital Following the 6 February Türkiye Earthquakes

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the patient demographics and emergency response adaptation in a primary-level state hospital following the 6 February Türkiye earthquakes. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the XXX Hospital, which remained largely unaffected by the earthquakes. The hospital faced challenges in providing medical care due to the loss of staff, damaged infrastructure, and limited resources. A volunteer orthopedic surgery team, along with other medical professionals, provided treatment to the earthquake victims. The patient data was collected from the conventional record book of the operating room. Results: From 6 to 12 February 2023, a total of 111 surgeries were performed at the hospital, with 92 (%83) being earthquake-related. Orthopaedic surgeons operated on most of the patients. The most common surgeries included fasciotomies, amputations, and fracture fixations. The surgeries were performed in a time-sensitive manner, with immediate life- and extremity-saving procedures prioritized. The hospital's infrastructure challenges and the lack of digital recording systems hampered the data collection process. Conclusion: The study highlighted the challenges faced by the XXX Hospital in providing emergency medical care following the earthquakes. Despite the chaotic conditions and limited resources, the medical professionals worked tirelessly to ensure continuous care for the earthquake victims. The demographic analysis revealed a predominance of young patients, and the most common surgeries were related to compartment syndromes and extremity injuries. The findings emphasize the importance of preparedness, robust infrastructure, and efficient patient recording systems in facilitating effective emergency response and healthcare delivery during and after natural disasters. Lessons learned from this study can contribute to the development of future action plans to improve emergency medical care in earthquake-prone regions.