Keywords
triage
assessment
monitoring
treatment
medical care
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: Electrical injury is a physiological reaction caused by electric current passing through the body. Electric injuries can be caused by the impact and exposure to electric current or lightning, either at home or at work.
The potential severity of electrical injuries cannot be underestimated. The injury depends on the density of the current, tissue resistance, and duration of contact. Tiny currents may be imperceptible or produce a light tingling sensation. Injuries can range from minor to severe, and fatal injuries are just as likely to occur at home as in the workplace, with around 20 Australians dying each year from electric shock.
The significance of this paper lies in its exploration of the preparedness of healthcare professionals in managing patients with electric shock and lightning injuries. The study delves into the triage, assessment, monitoring, treatment, and transport with medical care in pre-hospital settings. The research was conducted based on data obtained from assessments of health care professionals, anamnestic data, the status of vital parameters, monitoring, medical procedures, system-level injuries, type of health care delivery, and location.
Conclusions: The discrepancies found in reporting pathological conditions and injuries about electrical burn wounds underscore the urgent need for a standardized system for classifying these pathological conditions. Although electric shock-related mortality is not the leading cause of death in high-prevalence areas, the importance of raising awareness cannot be overstated.
References
Zemaitis MR, Foris LA, Lopez RA, et al. Electrical Injuries. [Updated 2023 Apr 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448087/
Burnham T, Hilgenhurst G, McCormick ZL. Second-degree Skin Burn from a Radiofrequency Grounding Pad: A Case Report and Review of Risk-Mitigation Strategies. PM R. 2019 Oct;11(10):1139-1142. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12143 Epub 2019 Apr 29. PMID: 30746904.
Lammertse, Daniel P. ‘Neurorehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries Following Lightning and Electrical Trauma’. 1 Jan. 2005: 9 – 14. DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2005-20103
Trivedi TK, Liu C, Antonio ALM, Wheaton N, Kreger V, Yap A, Schriger D, Elmore JG. Injuries Associated With Standing Electric Scooter Use. JAMA Netw Open. 2019 Jan 4;2(1):e187381. doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.7381 PMID: 30681711; PMCID: PMC6484536.
Gentges, Joshua; Schieche, Christoph (November 2018). "Electrical injuries in the emergency department: an evidence-based review". Emergency Medicine Practice. 20 (11): 1–20. ISSN 1559-3908. PMID 30358379.
Daskal Y, Beicker A, Dudkiewicz M, Kessel B. [HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC INJURY: MECHANISM OF INJURY, CLINICAL FEATURES AND INITIAL
EVALUATION.]. Harefuah. 2019 Jan;158(1):65-69. Hebrew. PMID: 30663297.
Carrano FM, Iezzi L, Melis M, Quaresima S, Gaspari AL, Di Lorenzo N. A Surgical Instrument Cover for the Prevention of Thermal Injuries During Laparoscopic Operations. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2019 Jan 30;
Lovaglio AC, Socolovsky M, Di Masi G, Bonilla G. Treatment of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve and brachial plexus traumatic injury. Neurol India. 2019 Jan- Feb;67(Supplement):S32-S37.
Von Caues S, Herbst CI, Wadee SA. A retrospective review of fatal electrocution cases at Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Services, Cape Town, South Africa, over the 5- year period 1 January 2008 - 31 December 2012. S Afr Med J. 2018 Nov 26;108(12):1042-1045.
Pawlik AM, Lampart A, Stephan FP, Bingisser R, Ummenhofer W, Nickel CH. Outcomes of electrical injuries in the emergency department: a 10-year retrospective study. Eur J Emerg Med. 2016 Dec;23(6):448-454.
Bailey ME, Sagiraju HKR, Mashreky SR, Alamgir H. Epidemiology and outcomes of burn injuries at a tertiary burn care center in Bangladesh. Burns. 2019 Jun;45(4):957-963.
Basri Lenjani Ndihma e pare, 2019. 24: 34-178 - 238.
Lenjani, B., Šišić, M., Mišanović, V., Ljuhar, K., & Lenjani, D. (2021). Challenges and Problems Affecting the Development Emergency Medical Services in Kosovo. Albanian Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 5(2), 825-829. https://doi.org/10.32391/ajtes.v5i2.245
Basri Lenjani, Nuhi Arslani, Agron Dogjani, & Esen Uysal. (2021). MJEKËSIA E TRAFIKUT. In MJEKËSIA E TRAFIKUT (p. 291). SHTËPIA BOTUESE LIBRI SHKOLLOR. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5510559
Lenjani, B., Baftiu, N., Krasniqi, B., Makolli, S., Lenjani, D., Mišanović, V., Ljuhar, K., & Dogjani, A. (2023). Access and Emergency Medical Care for Massive or Multiple Injuries. Albanian Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 7(1), 1181-1188. https://doi.org/10.32391/ajtes.v7i1.298
Agron Dogjani, & Kastriot Haxhirexha. (2021). MBËSHTETJA BAZIKE JETËSORE DHE DEFIBRILIMI. In MBËSHTETJA BAZIKE JETËSORE DHE DEFIBRILIMI (p. 178). Botimet M & B. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5484293
Shih JG, Shahrokhi S, Jeschke MG. Review of adult electrical burn injury outcomes worldwide: an analysis of low-voltage vs high-voltage electrical injury. J Burn Care Res. 2017;38:e293–e298. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0000000000000373. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Agron Dogjani, Kastriot Haxhirexha, Arben Gjata, Alfred Ibrahimi, Amarildo Blloshmi. Medical Emergency Services in Albania, the Challenges and Improvements of Concepts in Management. Journal of Surgery and Research 5 (2022): 456-461. DOI: 10.26502/jsr.10020242
Saracoglu A, Kuzucuoglu T, Yakupoglu S, et al. Prognostic factors in electrical burns: a review of 101 patients. Burns. 2014;40(4):702–707. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Burns. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/burns. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Electrical shock. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/electrical-shock. Accessed May 17, 2022.