Need for increasing number of EM physicians stressed

"We need to change the concept of emergency medicine (EM) in Pakistan. We also need to increase the number of trained EM physicians. There should be a two-year certification, one year diploma or MCPS in EM.

This was stated by a key note speaker MD FACP, President Pakistan Society of Emergency Medicine, Dr Abdus Salam Khan at 3rd annual symposium on "Emergency Medicine themed shaping the future of emergency medicine in Pakistan", organised by jointly Dr Ziauddin Hospital and Ziauddin University at varsity's auditorium, here on Saturday

He said, "We need unified triaging system. The government should introduce trained physician to deal with the emergencies, especially in rural areas and streamline all the training activities to address the needs of people."

Speaking at the conference about the Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Dr Munawar Khursheed, Associate Professor & Director Emergency Department NICVD affirmed, "Under massive pulmonary embolism, 50 percent people have chances to die within 30 minutes, 70 percent within 1 hour and more than 85 percent within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms. The PE is frequently undiscovered until autopsy is performed. The interval from the onset of symptoms to death is relatively short. Early evaluation and prompt treatment is very important, especially in massive pulmonary embolism."

About unstable pelvic trauma, Prof Amin Chinoy, head of Orthopaedic Department, Indus Hospital, said: "Wearing seat belts can reduce the risk of fatalities to front seat occupants by 45 percent. Probability of severe head injury and ejection from the vehicle is lower.

Chances of fatal/major injuries to head, neck, chest and abdomen are lesser." Around 3 percent of all fractures in Emergency Department are the cases we receive of pelvic fractures. We also get to face 15 percent patients from motorcycle incidents, 10-30 percent from falls, 15 percent from car vs pedestrian and crush injuries are 5 percent.

Associated injuries including chest injury (63pc), long bone fracture (50pc), head and abdominal injury (40pc), spine fractures (25pc) and urogenital injuries in 12-20pc.