Preventing gastro-enteritis deaths: recommendations based on a 3 years study.
Based on epidemiological investigation of 75 gstro-enteritis deaths that occurred in 22 major hospitals of Delhi during 1990-92, this paper deals with the observations pertaining to the role of physicians and health infrastructure in the management of gastro-enteritis patients. Majority of the patients visited private practitioners/clinics in the first instance. Hospital stay in 44% of cases was 6 hours or more, by which time dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalance should have been corrected. Still, in 54.5 percent out of these, dehydration was the cause of death, while in 18.2 percent electrolyte imbalance co-existed. Record maintenance at various hospitals was far from satisfactory. The study, highlighting the need for proper rehydration and timely referral enlists recommendations that might help in preventing gastro-enteritis deaths.
Gulati
N
N
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi.
Kumar
A
A
Lal
P
P
Mehra
M
M
Sahgal
K
K
D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation