About Ashtamudi Hospital and Trauma Care Centre
Genesis
In 2008, the Ashtamudi Hospital & Trauma Care Centre was established by a few young doctors who felt the need for a socially responsible health care delivery system and Kollam(Quilon) was chosen as the location for such a novice social initiative. These young specialists and superspecialists had their medical education in the various Govt. Medical Colleges of Kerala in the eighties and nineties of the last century. Against the background of escalating health care costs (distancing the majority of the population from modern medical care) and subjugation of the medical professionals by the big corporates, idea of this sort of a hospital emanated from the neurons of these doctors. Collective discussions to find a way out of this crisis followed. Finally, consensus emerged that Standard Treatment Protocols, Rational Use Of drugs and Judicious application of appropriate technology can bring down the costs. There was a big gap in the care of the Accident Victims in this part of the state and hence Accident Care was identified as a focus area in addition to basic medical specialities. Thus was born Ashtamudi Hospital & Trauma Care Centre.
More About
Ashtamudi Hospital & Trauma Care Centre is a social initiative in health care started by fifty doctors who have graduated from the various governments medical colleges. Majority of them are products of Medical College, Alappuzha. The hospital was started under the umbrella organization – Kerala Academy of Health Sciences & Research Pvt Ltd. The hospital is aimed at providing quality health care at low cost and developing a socially responsible health care model. We follow Standard Treatment Protocols, Rational Drug Formulary & Therapeutics and thus bring down the cost.
The hospital started functioning on 01/11/2008. The hospital was inaugurated on 28/12/2008 by P K Gurudasan, then Minister for Labour, Governmentt Of Kerala. Dr. R.K.Shenoy, Former Professor Of Medicine, Medical College, Alappuzha was the guest of honour.
The hospital building was designed and constructed by COSTFORD in an environment friendly manner using alternative construction technology Waste management policy is eco friendly with biogas plants and water treatment plant executed by ESAF, Thrissur.
The hospital management has been transferred to Swanthanam Hospital Cooperative Society Ltd WEF 01/10/2018.
The Administration
Administration is carried out by the Board of Directors, Swanthanam Hospital Cooperative Society chaired by Shri. G. S. Jayalal MLA.
Thrust Area
Trauma Care. Aims to develop a high quality Accident Care Centre and an Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
Trauma (injury) either intentional or accidental has become a major public health problem . It is described as the Silent Epidemic of modern era. Everyday, 16,000 people die from injuries, and for every person who dies, several thousand more are injured, many of them with permanent sequelae. Injury accounts for 16% of the global burden of disease. The burden of death and disability from injury is especially notable in low- and middle-income countries. By far the greatest part of the total burden of injury, approximately 90%, occurs in such countries. Trauma mainly affects adolescents and young adults resulting in loss of more productive work years than any other disease. The cost to society both directly in terms of health care costs and indirectly in terms of losss of goods and services amounts to a giagantic figure. The cost to the individual in terms of pain, suffering,incapacitation,disfigurement and loss of self esteem is inestimable. This has led to increased concentration on the various aspects of trauma including its prevention and management.New strategies have been evolved in these spheres with the establishment of centres devoted primarily to trauma care.
Temptation began in the garden of Eden, so also trauma. Cain killing Habel is one of the earliest incident of trauma. Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus authored by Imhotop is the oldest surgical text known 44 of the 48 cases described refers to trauma including head and spine injuries,facial wounds and upper extremity injuries. It is believed that the first mention of organized battle field care was in Homer’s Iliad. The oldest pictorial representation of bandaging and wound management was also inspired from Iliad.The scene is Achilles bandaging his cousin and intimate friend Patroclus. The Romans also established hospitals for the care of the wounded. Baron Larrey,Nepoleon’s Chief Surgeon, is credited with two innovations that extend to modern times. The first was the flying ambulance and the second was to concentrate the casualties in one area and to operate them as close to the frontline as possible. Ambrose Pare has defined trauma as the science of wounds and the causes of these wounds.
Coming to the scenario in Kerala, Road Traffic Accident is the major culprit. On an average,11 people die every day. For each mortality, exponentially high numbers get injured. As in the case of other diseases, prevention is better. This involves road safety measures, enforcement of traffic rules,public education and road ethics. The pattern of injuries in this part of the world is peculiar. Majority are low velocity accidents and hence more salvageable. Simple interventions for stabilizing the patient during the Golden Hour(Airway, Breathing & Circulation) can improve the outcome to a large extent. Hence efficient and accessible Prehospital Care Systems(EMS) & Accident Treatment Units become relevant. Its also important that the injured get adequately rehabilitated. There is a definite lack of these in our state. Essential Trauma Guidelines (WHO) outlines the organization of trauma care services utilizing limited resources.
Ashtamudi Hospital & Trauma Care Centre is determined to address these challenges to the benefit of the society.
Hospital Achievements
