As reported by «Gazeta Wrocławska», on Monday night (August 12.08) to the emergency department of the Lower Silesian Specialist Hospital at ul. Fieldorf was hit by a gangrene patient. Four hours after his admission, he was taken to the department of general and vascular surgery, but he was not saved. The hospital authorities decided to close the ER.
A patient with gangrene at SOR
On Monday night, a gangrene patient came to the hospital ward. The disease is caused by infection with anaerobic bacteria and causes rapidly developing tissue necrosis. Due to the risk of infecting other patients, the hospital authorities decided to close the SOR in the hospital in Wrocław until Tuesday by 10:00.
No epidemiological threat
We contacted the director of the hospital, Jacek Kubica, to find out about the situation at SOR. Fortunately, there is no risk of contracting gangrene-causing bacteria.
– We have not identified the risk of contracting the disease, so from 10:00 am the hospital emergency department works in the normal manner and admits patients – said Kubica.
This is not the first case of gangrene in Wrocław hospitals. In February this year, at the HED of the hospital at ul. Kamieński reported a patient with this disease. At that time, the procedures provided for in such a situation were immediately applied, including disinfection and grace period. After a few hours, around 3 am, the SOR was reopened.
The causes and symptoms of gangrene
Gangrene is caused by anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The disease most often develops in people who have contaminated a wound resulting from an animal injury or bite. It can also occur in people suffering from inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, e.g. in people with diabetes.
Symptoms usually come on suddenly. Approximately 3 days after infection, swelling develops around the wound, there is also pain, and if the necrosis is very deep, it may lead to loss of sensation. If we are dealing with gas gangrene, the characteristic symptom are bubbles filled with oil and gas, which make a characteristic sound when touched. Additionally, the wound becomes black or brown in color, and the patient is weak and may have a fever.
Treatment of gangrene is based on reducing the area where the tissues have been damaged and eliminating the bacterial infection. Untreated gangrene can lead to permanent disability or death.