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Manipal, 23 July 2024: The Manipal Center for Interprofessional Advanced Wound Care, the Center for Resuscitation, Acute Care and Simulation Training (CReST), and the Center for Clinical and Innovative Forensics jointly organised first responder workshops on multiple trauma wound management. These workshops, held on 19th July 2024, utilised simulation to enhance the capacity for prompt and efficient initial care, which is crucial in reducing the severity of injuries and saving lives. Trained responders can stabilise patients, wisely allocate resources, and prevent complications, increasing community resilience during emergencies.

The workshops were officially inaugurated by Mr Parameshwar A. Hegde, Additional Superintendent of Police, Udupi. He emphasised the importance of enhancing the competencies of quick response teams as first responders. He highlighted the need for high-grade training to establish Udupi as a leader in evidence-based trauma response strategies.

The unique workshop received positive feedback from participants, including members of the police department, KMC Manipal & Mangalore, Allied Institute, Kasturba Hospital staff, MCON, the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, and nurses from the UK who were observing the Indian first response to trauma. Dr Tessy Treesa Jose, Associate Dean of MCON, MAHE Manipal, praised the team’s efforts. Professor Selvam Watts, Director of iWound Global, stressed the importance of innovative and humane wound management practices, encouraging healthcare professionals and the community to work together for greater impact.

Emergency medicine professor Dr Vimal Krishnan and nurse practitioner Mr Prasannakumara from Kasturba Hospital Manipal led case-based simulations, placing participants in first responder roles across various trauma situations. Dr Vimal also introduced the "Communicate-Awareness-Regulation-Education" (CARE) methodology, emphasising effective communication, situational awareness, legal knowledge, and continuous education. His humorous teaching strategies made learning enjoyable and impactful.

Dr Vinod Nayak, a forensic sciences professor, highlighted the legal responsibilities of first responders and the importance of empathy and immediate assistance at trauma scenes. He addressed the need to break the apathy towards helping road crash victims and the negative impact of prioritising social media over immediate aid.

Dr Tanvi Rao, an assistant professor in the KMC Manipal Department of Plastic Surgery, provided first aid training for burn injuries, emphasising that 70% of burns occur at home. She highlighted the importance of prompt and effective first aid and discussed the benefits of skin banking for burn victims.

Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Director, MAHE, FAIMER International Institute and Coordinator of the Manipal Center of Excellence in Interprofessional Advanced Wound Care, stressed the importance of enhancing healthcare workers’ capabilities in wound management, both acute and chronic.

The workshop, coordinated by Mr Shreenidhi Jogi and Ms Effienia D Wahlang, PhD scholars working in innovative wound care, featured realistic situational learning exercises for 61 participants, significantly improving their practical comprehension and response abilities.

This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing community emergency response and wound management skills, thereby increasing resilience in emergency situations.