The medical offi cer who is treating the cases of scorpion sting should take meticulous
care to look into the patient’s status and provide fi rst aid as well as supportive measures
before referring the cases to higher centre / specialist(s). The details are furnished in
Table 24 below.
Table No. 24: Referral aspects for scorpion sting
Who needs
Patient requiring
• Respiratory support
• Cardiac failure/shock
• Surgical intervention
• Spontaneous
persistent bleeding
• Co-morbid diseases
• Acute impending
kidney failure
• Multi-system
involvement
When to refer
Refer the patient after
stabilising the case and
after giving Tab.Prazosin
and other supportive
measures (refer to
Annexure VIII and X)
Where to refer
Refer to higher institution
having ventilator and other
measures to provide
further supportive
treatment.
Instructions while referring
• Inform the need for referral to the patient and / care giver [family member or
the accompanying attendant]
• Give prior intimation to the receiving center
• Arrange for an ambulance
• Transfer in a vehicle to Secondary Care Hospital or Tertiary Care Hospital
where facilities are available for further management
• Continue life support measures
• Provide airway support with the help of an accompanying staff
• Send the referral note with details of treatment given
• Instruct one staff to accompany the patient during transportation if required
• Hand over the referral form (Annexure V) with details regarding treatment
given
• Mention the clinical status at the time of referral clearly in the referral form