Organization of Emergency Medical Services After an Earthquake: The Case of Adiyaman, Türkiye
Burak Bekgöz1, İshak Şan2, Eray Cinar2, Ramiz Yazici3, Eren Usul4, Sukru Yorulmaz5, Hakan Güner6, Mustafa Uras71Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
3Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
4Department of Emergency Medicine, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
5Department of Emergency Medicine, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
6General Directorate of Emergency Health Services, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Türkiye
7Emergency Service, Bafra State Hospital, Samsun, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: In this manuscript, we aimed the explanation of health organization of Adıyaman Province after the 5 day of earthquake.
METHODS: The data presented herein were compiled from the experiences of emergency medicine specialists sent to Adıyaman Province by the Ankara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Adminis-tration. We discuss the personnel and administrative management of Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital, the working system of Adıyaman EMS, patient transport to other provinces by land ambulances and air ambulances, establishment of tent hospitals, medical care point management, and environmental safety.
RESULTS: After the earthquake, a total of 396 patients were transferred from Adıyaman to other provinces by aircraft. The average age of the patients was found 32.8 ± 17.6 years. The most common diagnosis was general body injures. Patients were most frequently transferred to Ankara. The most commonly used aircraft for transportation was the Cargo Aircraft of the Turkish Armed Forces.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It should be considered that local administrators are also disaster victims. The fact that teams from other provinces undertake health management in the disaster area will facilitate the process. EMS management in the acute period is particularly important in terms of saving the lives of earthquake victims and preventing disabilities.
Manuscript Language: English