Referral rates drop as new specialist strengthens district hospital’s burn care

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

An increase in the number of surgeries in the burn ward at Deen Dayal Upadhyay District Hospital has led to a decline in the number of referral cases. Notably, with the recent transfer of doctors, the burn surgeon Dr Kush Aeron has been deployed at the District Hospital and his joining has brought about a positive change at the burn ward.

Aeron informed that earlier, only primary treatment was done at the burn ward, due to which severe burn cases usually got transferred to other facilities. “Things have changed now. I am doing serious burn-related surgeries and this has brought down referral cases substantially,” he said, adding that   since July 3, no case from the burn ward has been referred to other facilities. About 20 to 30 operations per month are being done in the burn ward.

The hospital currently has a 10-bed burn ward with the addition of four beds.  Besides, there are 10 beds in the ICU.

“Children sustain burns from hot liquids like tea.  While in adults, it is usually flame burns. As per records, people from mountainous areas seem to be more vulnerable to burns than those from plains,” the surgeon said, adding that all surgeries and treatment in the hospital are done under the Ayushman scheme.

Queried on how to improve the quality of treatment in the ward, he said that currently, treatment, especially skin grafting, is usually done manually. “I will soon demand the introduction of advanced technology for skin grafting.  With advanced technology for skin grafting, efficient treatment and timely recovery will be provided to patients,” he said, adding that four patients are currently admitted in the burn ward.