Beyond Injuries: February 6th Kahramanmaras Earthquakes and Other Patients Transported by Ambulance

This study evaluates the Emergency Medical Service system and overall emergency preparedness by analyzing ambulance-transported patients during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, focusing on those without earthquake-related injuries (medical emergencies and traumas not caused by earthquakes).

A retrospective, observational case series was conducted, involving patients aged 18 and above transported by ambulance between February 6 and March 6, 2023. Patient demographic characteristics, vital signs, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Predisposing factors for ambulance transportation including post-earthquake health facility issues, housing problems, hygiene, heating, and smoke exposure were meticulously analyzed.

The study included 1872 patients, with a 55.4% hospitalization rate and a 13.7% mortality rate. Cardiovascular emergencies were the primary reason for admission (28.9%). Patients from the hospital in the study's location form Group 1, whereas those from other earthquake-affected provinces constitute Group 2. Significant predisposing factors for ambulance transportation included post-earthquake health facilities (P < 0.001), housing problems (P < 0.001), hygiene (P < 0.001), heating (P = 0.001), and smoke exposure (P < 0.001). In Group 2, pneumonia (P = 0.001), soft tissue infection (P = 0.002), sepsis (P = 0.004), carbon monoxide poisoning (P < 0.001), and diabetic emergencies (P = 0.013) were statistically significantly more frequent.

Analyzing post-earthquake ambulance-transported patients is vital to comprehend the demand for emergency health care and address post-disaster health care challenges.