A new approach to treating the wounded in Ukraine: fighting infections after attacks
- Ukraine is implementing a disinfection system for the wounded
- 30-40% of the wounded face infections
- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria threaten patients' lives
A new approach to treating the wounded in Ukraine
In the context of the war in Ukraine, injured servicemen face a serious threat of infections that can lead to amputations and even death. According to The New York Times, 30 to 40% of the wounded arriving at hospitals have complications caused by dirt and shrapnel entering their wounds. These infections are often resistant to antibiotics, making their treatment extremely difficult and dangerous. In prolonged combat situations, when the wounded may go without medical assistance for days or weeks, the risk of developing infections significantly increases.
The situation with infections among the wounded in Ukraine has become so serious that doctors have begun to compare it to the consequences of biological attacks. Hailey Yuren, a clinical pharmacologist and disaster medicine specialist, suggested implementing a system for disinfecting the wounded before their hospitalization. She noted that if antibiotics are ineffective, the situation is no different from exposure to anthrax. This realization has led to the development of new protocols that are already being applied in wartime conditions.
The initiative for disinfecting the wounded started in September and includes the removal of contaminated clothing, washing with antiseptics, and showering for the wounded before their transportation to hospitals. This is significantly different from the traditional practice where the wounded are delivered to hospitals in dirty clothes and with used bandages, which increases the risk of spreading infections. Such measures can help prevent further spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in medical facilities.
The problem of infections among the wounded
The problem of antibiotic-resistant infections is not limited to Ukraine alone. A colonel in the U.S. Army, the chief surgeon of the Special Operations Command in Europe, emphasized that such bacteria pose a threat to everyone in hospitals. If they enter the general healthcare system, it could endanger the lives of even those not involved in military actions. This underscores the importance of implementing new disinfection and infection control protocols.
Dr. John Golcomb, a retired surgeon who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, noted that infections have always been a problem during wars. However, the scale of the problem in Ukraine is unprecedented, related to changes on the battlefield caused by the use of drones. Explosions cause severe damage to tissues and bones, which contributes to the introduction of bacteria from the environment into wounds.
According to Dr. Paul Pottinger, an infectious disease specialist, bacteria can enter the body through any skin damage. Immediate washing of the wound and application of antiseptics can significantly reduce the risk of infection, but in the conditions of prolonged combat, this is often impossible. The "golden hour" for providing medical assistance has effectively disappeared due to the new conditions of warfare.
Wounded disinfection initiative
Fighters often spend days and weeks in trenches and forests, losing a lot of blood and undernourished, which weakens their immune system. Bacteria can form biofilms on wounds in just eight hours, making them resistant to antibiotics. In conditions of limited access to water and antiseptics, medics are forced to use the strongest antibiotics, which only exacerbates the problem of antibiotic resistance.
As the wounded go through multiple stages of evacuation, bacteria penetrate deeper into tissues and bones, making treatment complicated. Surgeons face the necessity of performing extensive surgeries to remove infected tissues. Dr. Yevgeny Filonenko from the Vinnytsia Regional Clinical Hospital noted that in some cases, the only way to stop the infection becomes amputation.
Dr. P.J. Brennan, an infectious disease specialist, also noted that in his practice there have been cases where it was impossible to find suitable medications to treat patients. This highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for the development of new methods for treating and preventing infections in wartime conditions.
Practical consequences and challenges
The complexity of diagnosing infections is exacerbated by the lack of laboratories, leading to delays in obtaining test results. Doctors are forced to send samples to other facilities, and results may arrive with delays of several weeks. During this time, new infections may develop in the wound, making treatment even more complicated.
In June, a rehearsal of a new approach to disinfecting the wounded took place in Poland, involving special operations forces from the USA, Poland, and Belgium. Ukrainian medics practiced disinfection procedures, demonstrating international support and cooperation in combating infections among the wounded. This also highlights the importance of sharing experiences and knowledge between countries.
The implementation of a wound disinfection system in Ukraine could be an important step in the fight against infections that threaten the lives and health of military personnel. However, to successfully implement this initiative, many challenges must be overcome, including a lack of resources and the need for training medical staff. It is important to continue developing and adapting treatment methods in wartime conditions to minimize risks for the wounded.
Source: UNIAN
