The Port Moresby General Hospital Adult Emergency Department (ED) had to endure another year of festive season increase in Trauma Cases.
Official records from the Christmas period record nearly fifty (50) cases with 70 per cent being male.
The most common injury was Assault and Blunt force trauma, with Penetrating injuries being the next most common.
The New Year period, however, saw a quiet night progressing into the New Year with most casualties arriving after 8am to the department.
By 3:00pm on Monday 1st January 2023, over 40 patients were seen, 80 per cent were male.
Unfortunately, 98 per cent of all injuries during both the Christmas and New Year period were alcohol related.
The department saw patients ranging between the ages of 9 and 55 years old.
The first death was recorded at 3pm as a result of a motor vehicle accident where the injured was a pedestrian who was run over by a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries.
A motor vehicle accident occurring at 10:30am resulted in another casualty being brought in. The patient has been stabilized and will be observed under the surgeons.
Again, assault and penetrating injuries made up the majority of injuries.
The PMGH ED is staffed with experienced personnel and benefit from the experience of specialists to ensure ongoing high quality care to patients.
The subspecialties of the hospital manage all referrals for further management.
The supporting specialties like Radiology and Pathology also have an increased workload to ensure fast processing of patients.
Blood products are still required for immediate trauma management and therefore it is encouraged that families of all patients come in to donate, for operative and critical case management.
There are approximately 4 patients with Penetrating Chest injuries with associated *sequelae who will be admitted for further management.
PMGH acknowledges and appreciates the national ambulance service provider, St John Ambulance crew, for their dedication in transporting all patients to the ED including those with medical ailments. Their pre-hospital assessment and transport of trauma patients is critical.
The hospital also thank the Police force for keeping the nation’s capital safe and their hard work in ensuring that movement around the city was kept under control.