Question

The victims of a large scale near-drowning incident are brought to the emergency department. what is the minimum length of time all such victims should be kept under observation in the hospital?

Answer 1

The minimum length of time that victims of a large-scale near-drowning incident should be kept under observation in the hospital is at least 24 hours. In some cases, controlled hypothermia may be used as a medical intervention to reduce damage to the heart.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimum length of time that victims of a large-scale near-drowning incident should be kept under observation in the hospital can vary depending on the individual circumstances and severity of the incident. However, it is crucial to closely monitor these patients for at least 24 hours.

In some cases, emergency department physicians may use controlled hypothermia as a medical intervention to reduce damage to the heart in patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest. This involves inducing a coma and lowering the patient's body temperature to approximately 91 degrees and maintaining this condition for 24 hours.

It is important to note that the length of observation and treatment may differ based on the specific situation, so the medical professionals involved will make the final decision regarding the duration of hospital stay for each patient.

Answer 2

The minimum length of time that all such victims should be kept under observation in the hospital is 12 - 24 hours for patients who remain comatose after drowning. It is critical since the patient can be diagnosed with hypoxemia and acidosis and their degree is not recognized. They should receive about 100% of oxygen and must be closely monitored through blood gas analysis.