Mitigating Recordables and Costly Complicated Disembarkation During Offshore Medical Emergencies in KSA

Overview

Since 2018 International SOS - Al Rushaid JV has been providing integrated medical services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Saudi Mega Projects, onshore and offshore Oil and Gas and other industries. Through the JV we look after health and wellbeing of over twenty thousand employees of our KSA clients, providing the workforce with the healthcare which is compliant with local statute requirements, meets international industry standards, and helps our clients to reduce costs, enhance HSE performance and retain staff.

Problem

Oil and Gas Offshore projects often take employees to remote and isolated environments. On one of such remote offshore rigs in KSA an employee sustained a deep laceration on his finger while performing his daily duty. The incident had all the potential to become "recordable" (Medical treatment or Lost Day Case) as the use of a one-point suture and prescription of antibiotics may occur in many private clinics and governmental hospitals to provide medical treatment.

Solution

Our on-board medical professional examined the patient, established that the wound is away from a joint/articulation and uncomplicated, and while considering Steristrip and Tetanus toxoid injection, as an appropriate medical procedure, consulted our Offshore Response Center which escalated the case to International SOS Occupational Health and Medical Team in Dubai to confirm the approach.

Impact

The patient received timely and appropriate emergency and follow up/post incident medical care onboard, thus avoiding "recordables" and costly disembarkation. Prompt and correct response to the emergency provided by Medical and Occupational Health professionals of International SOS on board and in the Offshore Response Center resulted in significant savings and full compliance to local Occupational Health requirements and OSHA/IADC guidelines. This would not be possible be there just a medic onboard without integrated support and assistance of Occupational Health Specialists possessing significant industry experience.