HYDERABAD, Sept 24: The most effective method and the one recommended by doctors to deal with snakebite is called RIGHT method, it was stated by experts at a workshop here.

A series of workshops on snakebite management were recently conducted in some of the most snakebite-prone areas like Badin, Tharparkar and Umerkot districts by Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro. The workshops were conducted by Dean, Quality Enhancement Cell, LUMHS, Dr Naeem Quraishi and snakebite advisor to Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) Dr Ian Simpson.

According to Dr Quraishi, most of the information and methods currently being used as first- aid in the event of a snakebite are incorrect and dangerous. He said the most commonly used method of the tourniquet is both ineffective and dangerous.The most effective process, and the one now being recommended by doctors, is called RIGHT method, he said. “Reassure and calm the patient. Immobilise the patient on the pattern of fracture cases. Get to Hospital fast and Tell the doctor about any patient signs that occur on the way to hospital” is the combination of ‘RIGHT’ method, Dr Quraishi said.

Giving details of “reassure and calm the patient” technique, Dr Quraishi said: “Seventy per cent of snakebites are from non-venomous snakes. The victim has nothing to worry about, nearly half of bites by the venomous species do not inject any venom, so 85 per cent of victims have nothing wrong with them.”

Explaining the tip ‘immobilise the patient on the pattern of fracture cases,’ he said there is need for the use of clothing or cloth to immobilise the limb, keep the victim as still as possible when moving him/her and no need to apply any pressure by bandages or tight cloths. About “get to hospital” fast, Dr Quraishi said there should be no delay in shifting the patient to a hospital.

Regarding “telling the doctor any patient signs that occur on way to the hospital,” he said these might be the drooping of eyelids or double vision or might include a taste of blood in the mouth or unusual bruising. This information will greatly help the doctor, he pointed out.

Talking of snakebite treatment, Dr Naeem said this included particular attention to cobra bites, which cause significant mortality in the area.

He said during the workshops, the doctors were informed about inexpensive, effective additional drugs that can be made available in hospitals and simple, cheap, basic equipment for safeguarding the airway that can dramatically improve patient outcomes. He said particular attention is paid to the treatment of viperine bites such as the ‘lundi’ and ‘dummer’, which are the most common bites in the areas.

Key to managing these bites is a simple blood clotting test, he said. The doctors at the workshop were shown that the best method is to use a new, clean, dry and glass test tube. A small blood sample is kept undisturbed for 20 minutes and gently tilted, he said and added if the blood gets clotted, there is no need for anti- venom and if the blood is still liquid, then anti- venom should be given.—APP