V S Syed1, S Sharma2, R P Singh3. 1. Commanding Officer, 317 Fd Hosp, C/o 99 APO. 2. Commandant, Command Hospital (CC), Lucknow. 3. Col Health, HQ (WC), C/o 56 APO.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A total of 31 cases of effects of high altitude were admitted to a field hospital from a particular sector during the year 2008. This study was hence undertaken to see the efficacy of acclimatisation as well as outline the determinants of acclimatisation. METHODS: The study monitored the transients in the acclimatisation period as well as laid down the guidelines to certify their fitness after the acclimatisation period. RESULT: Almost 4.70% of transients were found unfit to proceed to higher altitudes even after acclimatisation. Tachycardia with oxygen saturation below 90% by digital pulse oximetry were the parameters found to be statistically significant as an indicator to declare a person as not fully acclimatised or otherwise. CONCLUSION: The administrative authorities must ensure that an individual is fully acclimatized, based on the fitness certificates issued, before being dispatched to their units located in high altitude areas.
BACKGROUND: A total of 31 cases of effects of high altitude were admitted to a field hospital from a particular sector during the year 2008. This study was hence undertaken to see the efficacy of acclimatisation as well as outline the determinants of acclimatisation. METHODS: The study monitored the transients in the acclimatisation period as well as laid down the guidelines to certify their fitness after the acclimatisation period. RESULT: Almost 4.70% of transients were found unfit to proceed to higher altitudes even after acclimatisation. Tachycardia with oxygen saturation below 90% by digital pulse oximetry were the parameters found to be statistically significant as an indicator to declare a person as not fully acclimatised or otherwise. CONCLUSION: The administrative authorities must ensure that an individual is fully acclimatized, based on the fitness certificates issued, before being dispatched to their units located in high altitude areas.
Entities:
Keywords:
Acclimatisation; High altitude area; Pulse oximetry
Authors: Priyanka Dhar; Vijay K Sharma; Kalpana B Hota; Saroj K Das; Sunil K Hota; Ravi B Srivastava; Shashi B Singh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-01-03 Impact factor: 3.240