Preventing gastro-enteritis deaths: recommendations based on a 3 years study.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: N Gulati, A Kumar, P Lal, M Mehra, K Sahgal
• Journal: The Journal of communicable diseases (J Commun Dis) Vol. 27 Issue 4 Pg. 256-61 (Dec 1995) ISSN: 0019-5138 [Print] India
• PMID: 8866992 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Case Management (standards)
• Fluid Therapy
• Gastroenteritis (epidemiology, mortality, therapy)
• Health Personnel (psychology)
• Humans
• Referral and Consultation