PoS hospital treats 3 gunshot wounds daily

AT LEAST three people with gunshot wounds are treated daily at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, and the health service is feeling the strain. “Almost on every shift we have gunshot wounds. What is happening in this place?” said a senior nurse at the hospital, who has seen the gamut of injuries caused as a result of the violence taking place in society. There are three shifts at the A&E — 7 am - 3 pm; 2 pm - 10 pm and 9 am - 7 pm. She said gunshot wounds are given priority when they come to the A&E. “It is a great strain on the health system when people feel they are in the wild wild west,” the nurse said, alluding to Thursday’s shooting incident on the Brian Lara Promenade which left one man dead and a female bystander injured. The nurse said most of the gunshot cases are young men, and she had no sympathy for them.

“I don’t know where they are getting the guns from in the country, and putting everyone in jeopardy.” The nurse said it could take approximately 15 minutes to treat minor injuries such as a gunshot wound on the foot. The patient is screened, sent for an X-ray, reviewed by the doctor and then, if necessary, admitted to a ward. Patients with foot and hand injuries are sent to orthopaedic wards, while more serious cases (with abdominal and chest injuries) are sent to the theatre, then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit or Ward 51. The nurse said a surgeon is called in for serious injuries. Patients whose hearts or lungs collapse have to be resuscitated. “It can take half an hour or more, depending on what kind of injury,” the nurse said.

Families in Action (FIA) psychologist Maureen Bowen said FIA has been “regularly” counselling people traumatised by crime. They show a range of symptoms — night sweats, diarrhoea, vomiting, change in eating habits, headaches, mood swings and behavioural changes. They may also isolate themselves. Counselling sessions begin with post-traumatic stress debriefing. Unresolved emotional issues (for example marital problems), and medical problems (high blood pressure, diabetes) could impact on the client’s ability to cope. Bowen said some people use repression, denial, alcohol and substance abuse, and prayer/meditation as part of their coping mechanism. She said others tried to escape the environment where the crime took place, or even the country. “Some go to support groups which help teach coping strategies.”