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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract

The devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkiye on February 6, 2023, emphasized the profound societal and healthcare challenges posed by natural disasters. These events highlighted the essential need for healthcare professionals to be well-prepared and equipped with the expertise to manage such crises effectively. Earthquake-induced trauma presents a wide array of medical and surgical complications, frequently requiring urgent hospitalization and specialized management for critically ill patients. However, the limited availability of comprehensive data and evidence-based guidelines complicates optimal care delivery in these scenarios. This review outlines current recommendations for the multidisciplinary management of critically ill patients with earthquake-related trauma. It underscores the significance of promptly identifying and addressing acute complications, including crush syndrome, acute kidney injury, infections, and sepsis. Key strategies such as individualized fluid and electrolyte management, nutritional interventions, and rigorous infection control measures are discussed. Additionally, the review highlights the critical roles of physiotherapy and psychological support in the rehabilitation process, as well as the importance of long-term follow-up for survivors at risk of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To enhance future disaster response and patient outcomes, the review calls for strengthened collaboration, preparedness, and research efforts. This comprehensive examination provides a framework for managing critically ill patients hospitalized due to earthquake-related trauma, offering valuable insights for healthcare providers across multiple disciplines.

Author ORCID Identifier

ESAT KIVANÇ KAYA: 0000-0002-3449-0701

BURÇİN HALAÇLI: 0000-0002-7216-7438

MEHMET YILDIRIM: 0000-0002-0526-5943

ARZU TOPELİ: 0000-0002-5874-9087

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.6033

Keywords

critically ill, crush syndrome, disaster, Earthquake, intensive care, trauma

First Page

813

Last Page

825

Publisher

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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