ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to explore the main influential factors such as gender, age, ethnic group, marriage status and the extent affected by the earthquake.
MethodsUsing WHOQOL-BREF, 500 residents from Hanyuan county in Sichuan province were assessed in order to analyze their life quality and related factors.
ResultsThe score on the overall WHOQOL-BREF and the level of each factor were significantly lower than the score on the normal people (P < 0.001). Male score in the factor of social relations significantly higher than female (t=3.963, P < 0.001). The overall score and the score of social factor were significantly lower in the minor than in the adults (t=-2.667, P < 0.01; t=-19.287, P < 0.001). And the quality score of social relationship was significantly lower in the single than in the married and cohabiting couples (P < 0.001; P < 0.01).
ConclusionThe quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake was significantly lower than the national norm. There are significant differences in terms of gender, age, marriage status and earthquake damage on social relations. Steady intimate relationships with others help improve the quality of life of residents in stricken area. Besides, compared those with average damage or no damage, the residents with serious damage are relatively worse in the overall quality of life as well as environmental conditions.
Objective To investigate the mental status of medical staffs in the orthopedics department during the earthquake, providing evidence for psychological intervention. Methods Choosing 104 staffs in the orthopedics department as eligible subject with convenient sampling; the research tool was Symptom Checklist-90. The questionnaire was done by the participants with the same instruction from psychological professionals; analyze the results. Results The score in somatization, anxiety and phobic anxiety of staffs in the orthopedics department was significantly higher than the national norm. Conclusion There exists disorder in mental health of medical staffs in orthopedics department, it is necessary to implement mental intervention.
Objective To observe the effect of comprehensive rehabilitation in patients with peripheral nerve injuries after the Wenchuan earthquake. Methods A total of 24 cases of peripheral nerve injuries who were admitted to the Rehabilitation Center for Earthquake Victims of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were treated with comprehensive rehabilitation, including exercise therapy, acupuncture therapy, functional electrical stimulation, and occupational therapy (mainly sensory training and wearing orthosis). After 30 treatment sessions, patient motor and sensory function, upper limb functional activity, and electrodiagnostic parameters were evaluated. Meanwhile, concomitant injuries were also recorded. Results As for the recovery of motor and sensory functions, the effective rate was 41.66%. The difference in the scores of upper limb functional activities was statistically significant before and after treatment (Plt;0.01). As assessed by electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity, the response rate was 87.50%. Patients with more concomitant injuries were likely to have slower recovery. Conclusion Comprehensive rehabilitation is appropriate and effective for patients with peripheral nerve injuries after the Wenchuan earthquake.
Objective To assess and report on the current situation of the families of students, who were involved in the Wenchuan earthquake, to provide data for the government to make decisions that should help with recovery from the earthquake. Methods We selected 2 towns and 4 villages using stratified sampling to take account of different levels of destruction. We performed on-site surveys and secondary research. Results The psychological problems of the parents of the students were serious. These families’ economic situations were not good. Conclusion We should build ‘Mutual Aid’ organization and take the advantage of rural hospitals to promote the long-acting mechanism of the psychological intervention.
Objective To investigate the transferring methods of earthquake casualties accepted by the Department of Emergency, discuss the requirement for rescue materials in pre-hospital transference and provide information for transferring casualties after disasters in future. Methods Traumatic types and conditions of the wounded admitted by the Department of Emergency of West China Hospital within 3 weeks after Wenchuan earthquake,were collected. The characteristics of the wounded transferred by ambulances and helicopters were analyzed. Results Of the 2 338 wounded, ambulances transferred the most accounting for 60.56%, helicopter transferred 13.47%, and the other transport modes took up 25.96%. As for the macrotraumas, ambulances transferred more than helicopter and other transport mode did (Plt;0.05), while there was no statistical significance between helicopters and other transport modes(Pgt;0.05). Conclusion After the disaster, a field first-aid command system should be immediately established, casualties should be triaged concisely, an appropriate transference mode should be decided according to the degree of injuries and sufficient rescue materials should be provided based on different transference modes.
Objective To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and death causes among the Wenchuan earthquake victims in The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu so as to provide information for reducing mortality in future earthquake disasters. Methods The analysis was based on the data provided by the Department of Information, the Medical Record Library, and the Emergency Room of the hospital through July 12. Microsoft EXCEL was used for data input and SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analyses. Results Through July 12, 9 (1.57%) out of the 575 wounded patients died, comprising 3 males and 6 females. Of those, 5 died in the outpatient department. The death causes were all related to severe cerebral injuries. The other 4 died in the inpatient department and the death causes were related to severe underlying illnesses and infection. Conclusion Screening and early treatment for cerebral injuries is very important in the period directly following the earthquake. Later, more attention should be paid to the treatment of underlying illnesses as well as the prevention and control of infection.
Objective To analyze the outcome of patients with abdominal injury (AI) in the Chengdu Army General Hospital within 48 hours after the Wenchuan earthquake, in order to provide evidence for future improvement in emergency response after earthquakes and in the treatment of AI patients. Methods Data on the AI patients within 48 hours after the earthquake were collected from the Information Department of the Hospital. Microsoft EXCEL was used for data input. Results A total of 33 AI inpatients were treated which was 3.1% of the total inpatients. The AI inpatients suffered severe and complex injuries, and one of them died (mortality rate: 3%). Conclusion As a second-line Grade-A hospital,prompt triage is very important to patients who were rescued 48 hours after the earthquake. Reasonable damage control surgery and remedies prepared by medical staff from different specialties after the operations may decrease mortality rate.
Objective To suggest the establishment a publication plan for emergency situations in order to better manage and control information to the outside environment based on the experience of front-line hospital of grade III level A in Deyang during the response to the Wenchuan earthquake. Method We systematically collected statistical information published in the forms of news, columns, newspapers, periodicals, statistics, brief massage sent out by China Telecom ans China Mobile and banners in various media (CCTV, Sichuan TV, and inside hospital etc.) after Wenchuan earthquake.Result Within 40 days after the Wenchuan Earthquake, the People’s Hospital of Deyang City had reported rescue information for 181 times, sent 1 600 000 phone messages to the public, issued 7 476 pieces of family-search information, distributed 1 486 earthquake first-aid brochures, distributed 1 750 psychological brochures, compiled 12 periodicals called “Special Report for Earthquake Relief Effort”, and finished 3 periodicals called “Special Issue for Earthquake Relief Effort”; issued 319 articles, over 200pictures and videos on websites inside and outside of the hospital; issued over 60 pieces of news and 7 special topic documentaries in CCTV etc.; and issued over 70 pieces of news on People’s Daily. Conclusion During the Wenchuan earthquake, the People’s Hospital of Deyang City shows the rescue work to the public via effective publication mechanisms. News and information is transmitted fast and effectively between people from both upper and lower levels. However, there are weaknesses in working mechanisms and methods, which requires further study and consideration.
Earthquakes happened frequently and caused a lot of injuries and serious economic loss, which destroyed the ecological environment and challenged the ability and speed in human rescue, treatment, epidemic, and post-disaster reconstruction. This paper compared the medical rescue between Yushu earthquake and Wenchuan earthquake in order to summarize the experience, form the standard, and provide references for decision-making.
Objective To analyze retrospectively the 875 procedures of earthquake related patient in West China Hospital of Sichuan University after the Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide reference for the improvement of medical rescue for the disaster of earthquake and the establishment of state-level regional medical centers. Methods The analysis was based on the data provided by the Department of Information of the Hospital up until July 11. The software of Microsoft EXCEL was used for data input and statistical analysis. Results Up to July 11, 1 265 operations in earthquake injuries have been performed in the hospital, of which 875 were done in operating rooms. Initial peak of admission to hospital was positively correlated to peak of surgery performed, which the type of the operation was all emergency operation and most of which were amputation (43%). Second peak of surgery was 2 days delayed following admission to hospital. The type of operation mainly was elective surgeries. Most patients received second stage procedure-open reduction and internal fixation (61%). Conclusion Our hospital played a key part in rescue effort following such huge natural disaster. Our prompt response and effective leadership demonstrated our hospital’s flexibility and capability in the state-level hospital near the epicenter.
