[Acute and chronic injuries after electrical accidents]

Area of Science:

• Electrical accident research
• Trauma medicine
• Neurology

Context:

• Electrical accidents pose significant risks to multiple organ systems, including cardiovascular, neurological, and integumentary systems.
• Current follow-up protocols for electrical accident victims are often inconsistent and lack standardization.
• The electrical engineering industry highlights the need for structured victim management.

Purpose:

• To review existing literature on the effects and management of electrical accidents.
• To propose evidence-based guidelines for the immediate and long-term follow-up of electrical accident victims.
• To standardize care from the accident scene through hospital admission and beyond.

Summary:

• Electrical accidents can lead to acute complications like cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, severe burns, and renal failure, alongside trauma from associated falls.
• Chronic neurological sequelae, including encephalopathy, psychological disturbances, and spinal cord or peripheral nerve injuries, may develop, sometimes with long latent periods.
• The study outlines recommended on-site actions, hospital referral criteria, and hospital observation protocols.

Impact:

• Implementation of proposed guidelines can improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with electrical accidents.
• Standardized follow-up protocols will enhance the continuity of care for victims.
• This work provides a critical resource for medical professionals and the electrical industry in managing electrical injuries.