title: Profile of patients admitted in a large teaching hospital as a result of earthquake in kashmir during october 2005.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among natural calamities Earthquakes are more devastating, as much of the life and property is affected.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried- out in Accident & Emergency Department of SKIMS, to determine personnel and medical profile of earthquake victims of October 2005, when the state was rattled by a major tremor. Data was obtained from Accident & Emergency Department. Total no of patients Admitted were 166, which were followed from admission to discharge/Death. Each patient was subjected to a pretested questionnaire indicating age, sex, rural/urban distribution, Glasgow coma score, out come of treatment and referral to other care facility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study revealed that children were mostly affected, being the valnerable group. Most of the patients had head and bone injuries. 143 patients out of 166 patients had a Glasgow coma score of 15. Only 9 patients died. The reason for better end result was because of initial first Aid, Rapid transportatation to Hospital and prompt treatment in the Hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As Jammu and Kashmir falls in seismic zone 5, it needs a central trauma centre, having all the specialties and sub specialties under one roof. This will save precious time, as cross referral to other hospitals will not be needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accident & Emergency, SKIMS, Srinagar (India).
authors.forename: Gh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yatoto
authors.forename: At
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Ra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rangrez
authors.forename: Dara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh