SPARSH Steps Up in High-Stakes Burn Emergency

SPARSH Hospital treats industrial fire victims with coordinated emergency response

Bengaluru: Five persons who sustained critical burn injuries in an industrial fire at a textile design printing unit on Mysore Road on Saturday evening were treated at SPARSH Hospital, RR Nagar, reflecting the hospital’s preparedness to handle high-acuity, mass-casualty emergencies.

Hospital sources said the injured were initially stabilised at a nearby facility before being shifted to SPARSH Hospital within the crucial “golden hour”. The victims had suffered extensive burns to the face, hands and back, while one patient also had severe inhalation injury affecting the airway.

On receiving prior intimation, the hospital activated its mass-casualty and burn management protocols. Intensive care beds were readied and a multidisciplinary team was mobilised within minutes. A rapid assessment ensured availability of resources for prolonged critical care, including specialised nutritional and metabolic support essential in severe burn cases.

The treatment was led by Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, Senior Consultant in Plastic Surgery, along with Dr Deepak K L. The team comprised intensivists, anaesthesiologists, critical care specialists, trained burn nurses, nutritionists and physiotherapists. A total of 21 nurses were deployed in rotational shifts to ensure continuous one-to-one monitoring of the patients.

Over the next few hours, the team carried out coordinated emergency interventions and initiated individualised burn care for each patient. One of the patients with severe inhalation injury required emergency intubation and advanced airway management.

“Severe burns are life-threatening and demand immediate, structured care. The first 48 hours are critical, with focus on airway stabilisation, fluid balance, temperature regulation, infection control and nutritional support,” Dr. Vuppalapati said, highlighting the risk of complications such as immune overreaction, metabolic instability and hypothermia.

Four patients were stabilised and later discharged in a stable condition, while one patient was shifted to another hospital at the request of family members.
Dr Ranjan Shetty, Group Medical Director, said the incident underscored the importance of institutional preparedness, experienced clinical leadership and integrated ICU systems in managing multiple critical cases simultaneously.

Group CEO Jasdeep Singh said emergency readiness was central to the hospital’s functioning, supported by scalable critical care infrastructure and standardised response protocols across its network.

Hospital authorities added that the RR Nagar facility remains equipped to handle complex emergencies, with dedicated systems for advanced burn care and coordinated critical care delivery.

City Today News 9341997936