Post earthquake emergency conbsultatiosn at the Cauquenes hospital, February 27, 2010
Abstract
A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out to characterize the morbidity associated with the earthquake that occurred on February 27, 2010, affecting the Fifth to Ninth administrative regions in Chile. The frequency of consultation, type of injury, and support used in the emergency department of the San Juan de Dios Hospital of Cauquenes were analyzed. The universe consisted in all the cases seen after the disaster at that emergency department, and the information was collected from the current statistics systems at the hospital. In Cauquenes County, there were 15 deaths the day of the earthquake, a mortality rate of 3.5 per 10,000 residents. 1360 consultations were registered in the first 10 days, mainly superficial injuries, wounds and fractures. The obtained results are useful for achieving a more rational approach to care, prevention and aid in a disaster situation with similar characteristics.
