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Atumanya P, Agaba PK, Mukisa J, Nakibuuka J, Kwizera A, Sendagire C. Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care units in Uganda: a descriptive nationwide multicentre prospective study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9963. [PMID: 38693185 PMCID: PMC11063042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59031-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates have decreased over time. However, in low-and lower-middle income countries (LMICs), there remains an excess ICU mortality with limited understanding of patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes from small single centre studies. We aimed therefore, to describe the characteristics, therapies and outcomes of patients admitted to all intensive care units in Uganda. A nationwide prospective observational study including all patients admitted Uganda's ICUs with available daily charts was conducted from 8th January 2018 to 1st April 2018. Socio-demographics and clinical characteristics including worst vital signs in the first 24 h of admission were recorded with calculation of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS-2) and quick Sequential Organ Function Assessment (qSOFA) score. ICU interventions were recorded during the ICU stay and patients were followed up to 28 days in ICU. The primary outcome was 28 day ICU mortality. Three-hundred fifty-one patients were analysed with mean age 39 (24.1) years, 205 (58.4%) males with 197 (56%) surgical admissions. The commonest indication for ICU admission was postoperative care (42.9%), 214 (61%) had at least one comorbidity, with hypertension 104 (48.6%) most prevalent and 35 (10%) HIV positive. The 28 day ICU mortality was 90/351 (25.6%) with a median ICU stay of 3 (1-7) days. The highest probability of death occurred during the first 10 days with more non-survivors receiving mechanical ventilation (80% vs 34%; p < 0.001), sedation/paralysis (70% vs 50%; p < 0.001), inotropic/vasopressor support (56.7% vs 22.2%; p < 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (14.4% vs 4.2%; p < 0.001). Independent predictors of ICU mortality included mechanical ventilation (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.48-7.52), sedation/paralysis (HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.39-5.16), inotropes/vasopressor (HR 3.17,95% CI 1.89-5.29) and an HIV positive status (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.14-4.56). This study provides a comprehensive description of ICU patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes in Uganda. It not only adds to the global body of knowledge on ICU care in resource-limited settings but also serves as a foundation for future research and policy initiatives aimed at optimizing ICU care in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cornelius Sendagire
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
- Intensive Care Medicine, D'or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Rashid S, Joubert I, Semple P. Groote Schuur Hospital neurosurgical intensive care unit: A 2-year review of admission characteristics. SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CRITICAL CARE 2023; 39:e1217. [PMID: 38357695 PMCID: PMC10866205 DOI: 10.7196/sajcc.2023.v39i3.1217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background At Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NsICU) is a 6-bed unit headed by a specialist neurosurgeon with extensive experience in neurocritical care, working in close collaboration with intensivists from the Division of Critical Care. There is currently no detailed analysis of the demographics, diagnosis and management of patients admitted to the NsICU at GSH. Objectives To provide a detailed descriptive analysis of the demographics, diagnosis and management of patients admitted to the NsICU at GSH from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021. Methods A retrospective descriptive analysis was done of patients who received treatment in the NsICU from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021. Results A total of 685 patients were admitted to the unit over a 2-year period, with a male preponderance (68.2%). The average age was 42.5 (standard deviation (SD) 17.2) years. The most common neurosurgical diagnoses were traumatic brain injuries (39.6%), brain tumours (22.6%) and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhages (9.9%). Emergency admissions comprised 76.6% of the total and 86.7% of patients were admitted postoperatively. Three hundred and seventy-two patients (54.3%) required mechanical ventilation, 132 (19.3%) required both an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor and brain tissue oxygenation monitor, 86 (12.5%) needed placement of an external ventricular drain, 50 (7.3%) needed placement of a tracheostomy tube and 16 (2.3%) needed placement of an ICP monitor only. The average duration of stay was 5.5 (1.3) days and NsICU mortality over 2 years was 11.1%. Conclusion The NsICU at GSH manages predominantly male trauma patients and a significant number of admitted patients require specialised invasive intracranial monitoring. Contribution of the study This is the first in-depth analysis of patients managed in a dedicated neurosurgical intensive care unit in South Africa. The work defines the patient population, neurosurgical pathologies and service level requirements that would likely be encountered by teams building a similar service.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rashid
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - I Joubert
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University
of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - P Semple
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Spencer SA, Adipa FE, Baker T, Crawford AM, Dark P, Dula D, Gordon SB, Hamilton DO, Huluka DK, Khalid K, Lakoh S, Limbani F, Rylance J, Sawe HR, Simiyu I, Waweru-Siika W, Worrall E, Morton B. A health systems approach to critical care delivery in low-resource settings: a narrative review. Intensive Care Med 2023; 49:772-784. [PMID: 37428213 PMCID: PMC10354139 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a high burden of critical illness in low-income countries (LICs), adding pressure to already strained health systems. Over the next decade, the need for critical care is expected to grow due to ageing populations with increasing medical complexity; limited access to primary care; climate change; natural disasters; and conflict. In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly emphasised that an essential part of universal health coverage is improved access to effective emergency and critical care and to "ensure the timely and effective delivery of life-saving health care services to those in need". In this narrative review, we examine critical care capacity building in LICs from a health systems perspective. We conducted a systematic literature search, using the World Heath Organisation (WHO) health systems framework to structure findings within six core components or "building blocks": (1) service delivery; (2) health workforce; (3) health information systems; (4) access to essential medicines and equipment; (5) financing; and (6) leadership and governance. We provide recommendations using this framework, derived from the literature identified in our review. These recommendations are useful for policy makers, health service researchers and healthcare workers to inform critical care capacity building in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Spencer
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Tim Baker
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Queen Marys University of London, London, UK
- Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Paul Dark
- Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dingase Dula
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Stephen B Gordon
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Oliver Hamilton
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Karima Khalid
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Felix Limbani
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jamie Rylance
- Health Care Readiness Unit, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hendry R Sawe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ibrahim Simiyu
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Eve Worrall
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ben Morton
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
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Mamo D, Aklog E, Gebremedhin Y. Patterns of admission and outcome of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma Hospital. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6364. [PMID: 37076540 PMCID: PMC10113727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33437-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Data on patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) admission including age, and severity of illness is essential in developing better strategies for resource allocation to improve outcomes. A 2-year cross-sectional study of 268 patients using a systematic random sampling and structured questionnaire obtained from the database was conducted with the aim of examining patterns of admission among patients admitted to the ICU of Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma (AaBET) hospital. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for association. A P-value of 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was declared clinically significant. Of the 268 charts reviewed, 193 (73.5%) of them were men with a mean age of 32.6 years. Trauma accounted for 163 (53.4%) of admissions. Burn admission category, Glasgow coma score of 3-8, and not receiving pre-referral treatment were found to be substantially correlated with mortality in both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Trauma constituted a sizeable cause of ICU admission. Road traffic accidents of traumatic brain injuries were the major causes of admission. Developing good pre-referral care equipped with manpower and ambulance services will improve the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirijit Mamo
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St. Paul`S Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis-Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma Hospital, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Etsegenet Aklog
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St. Paul`S Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis-Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma Hospital, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yemane Gebremedhin
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St. Paul`S Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis-Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma Hospital, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
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Mandeng Ma Linwa E, Binam Bikoi C, Tochie Noutakdie J, Ndoye Ndo E, Bikoy JM, Eposse Ekoube C, Fogue Mogoung R, Simo Ghomsi I, Budzi MN, Ngo Linwa EE, Meh MG, Mekolo D. In-ICU Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients in a Reference Cameroonian Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Crit Care Res Pract 2023; 2023:6074700. [PMID: 37197155 PMCID: PMC10185429 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6074700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mortality rate amongst critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is disproportionately high in sub-Saharan African countries such as Cameroon. Identifying factors associated with higher in-ICU mortality guides more aggressive resuscitative measures to curb mortality, but the dearth of data on predictors of in-ICU mortality precludes this action. We aimed to determine predictors of in-ICU mortality in a major referral ICU in Cameroon. Methodology. This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to the ICU of Douala Laquintinie Hospital from 1st of March 2021 to 28th February 2022. We performed a multivariable analysis of sociodemographic, vital signs on admission, and other clinical and laboratory variables of patients discharged alive and dead from the ICU to control for confounding factors. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results Overall, the in-ICU mortality rate was 59.4% out of 662 ICU admissions. Factors independently associated with in-ICU mortality were deep coma (aOR = 0.48 (0.23-0.96), 95% CI, p = 0.043), and hypernatremia (>145 meq/L) (aOR = 0.39 (0.17-0.84) 95% CI, p = 0.022). Conclusion The in-ICU mortality rate in this major referral Cameroonian ICU is high. Six in 10 patients admitted to the ICU die. Patients were more likely to die if admitted with deep coma and high sodium levels in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Mandeng Ma Linwa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Intensive Care Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | | | | | | | - Jean Moise Bikoy
- Anaesthesiology Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | | | - Raissa Fogue Mogoung
- Intensive Care Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Igor Simo Ghomsi
- Intensive Care Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Martin Geh Meh
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - David Mekolo
- Intensive Care Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Emergency Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Anaesthesiology Unit, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon
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Holmaas G, Abate A, Woldetsadik A, Hevrøy O. Establishing a sustainable training programme in anaesthesia in Ethiopia. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2022; 66:1016-1023. [PMID: 35749233 PMCID: PMC9541354 DOI: 10.1111/aas.14106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Lack of qualified staff is a major hindrance for quality and safety improvements in anaesthesia and critical care in many low‐income countries. Support in specialist training may enhance perioperative treatment and have a positive downstream impact on other hospital services, which may improve the overall standard of care. Methods Between 2011 and 2019, consultant anaesthetists from Haukeland University Hospital in Norway supported a postgraduate anaesthesia‐training programme at Addis Ababa University/Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital in Ethiopia. The aim of the programme was to build a self‐sustainable work force of anaesthetists across the country who could perform high quality anaesthesia within the confinement of limited local resources. Over the course of 10 years, an almost continuous rotation of experienced anaesthetists and intensivists assisted training of Ethiopian residents in anaesthesia and critical care. Local specialists organised the programme; however, external support was necessary during this period to establish a sustainable training programme. Results Since the programme's commencement at Addis Ababa University in 2011, 159 residents have entered the programme and 71 have graduated. As the number of qualified anaesthetists increased, Ethiopian specialists gradually obtained responsibility for the programme. Candidates are recruited from various regions and from neighbouring countries. Five other Ethiopian training sites have been established. To date (May 2022), 112 residents have completed their training in Ethiopia, and 195 residents expect to graduate within 3 years. Conclusion Nearly 11 years after establishment of the programme, locally trained highly qualified anaesthetists work in Ethiopia's major hospitals throughout the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunhild Holmaas
- Department of Surgical Services, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ananya Abate
- Department of Anesthesiology, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Olav Hevrøy
- Department of Surgical Services, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract
This White Paper has been formally accepted for support by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) and by the World Federation of Intensive and Critical Care (WFICC), put forth by a multi-specialty group of intensivists and emergency medicine providers from low- and low-middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HiCs) with the aim of 1) defining the current state of caring for the critically ill in low-resource settings (LRS) within LMICs and 2) highlighting policy options and recommendations for improving the system-level delivery of early critical care services in LRS. LMICs have a high burden of critical illness and worse patient outcomes than HICs, hence, the focus of this White Paper is on the care of critically ill patients in the early stages of presentation in LMIC settings. In such settings, the provision of early critical care is challenged by a fragmented health system, costs, a health care workforce with limited training, and competing healthcare priorities. Early critical care services are defined as the early interventions that support vital organ function during the initial care provided to the critically ill patient—these interventions can be performed at any point of patient contact and can be delivered across diverse settings in the healthcare system and do not necessitate specialty personnel. Currently, a single “best” care delivery model likely does not exist in LMICs given the heterogeneity in local context; therefore, objective comparisons of quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness between varying models are difficult to establish. While limited, there is data to suggest that caring for the critically ill may be cost effective in LMICs, contrary to a widely held belief. Drawing from locally available resources and context, strengthening early critical care services in LRS will require a multi-faceted approach, including three core pillars: education, research, and policy. Education initiatives for physicians, nurses, and allied health staff that focus on protocolized emergency response training can bridge the workforce gap in the short-term; however, each country’s current human resources must be evaluated to decide on the duration of training, who should be trained, and using what curriculum. Understanding the burden of critical Illness, best practices for resuscitation, and appropriate quality metrics for different early critical care services implementation models in LMICs are reliant upon strengthening the regional research capacity, therefore, standard documentation systems should be implemented to allow for registry use and quality improvement. Policy efforts at a local, national and international level to strengthen early critical care services should focus on funding the building blocks of early critical care services systems and promoting the right to access early critical care regardless of the patient’s geographic or financial barriers. Additionally, national and local policies describing ethical dilemmas involving the withdrawal of life-sustaining care should be developed with broad stakeholder representation based on local cultural beliefs as well as the optimization of limited resources.
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Abebe K, Negasa T, Argaw F. Surgical Admissions and Treatment Outcomes at a Tertiary Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Ethiopia: A Two-Year Review. Ethiop J Health Sci 2021; 30:725-732. [PMID: 33911833 PMCID: PMC8047267 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v30i5.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a special unit where critically ill patients who require advanced respiratory or hemodynamic support are admitted. Little has been published about surgical intensive care unit patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of admission and treatment outcomes of adult surgical patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). Methods A two-year retrospective medical record review of all adult surgical patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. Results Surgical patients made up 91(22.1%) of 411 admissions of adult intensive care unit. Of these, 82 (M: F = 1.5:1) patients were analyzed. Age ranged from 16 to 82 years with a mean age of 43 years (SD +/-18.2). Emergency admissions accounted for 70(85.4%) cases. The top three primary admission diagnoses were generalized peritonitis secondary to perforated viscus (25,30.5%), bowel obstruction (21,25.6 %) and trauma (13,15.9%). Acute respiratory failure (38,46.3%) and septic shock (23,28.0%) were the leading indications of intensive care unit admission. Most patients (62,75.6%) received mechanical ventilatory support. The mean length of intensive care unit stay was 7.3 days (SD+/-5.2).Death occurred in 33(40.2%) patients. Mortality was higher in those who stayed for 48 hours (OR=5.6;95% CI 1.60–19.69; p=0.007) and in ventilated patients (OR=5.3; 95% CI 1.41–19.98; p=0.013). Conclusion The observed mortality in this review was higher than the one in most reports. It was significantly high in patients who stayed for 48 hours and in those who required mechanical ventilatory support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirubel Abebe
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College
| | - Tesfaye Negasa
- Department of Surgery, Arsi University Asella School of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - Fitsum Argaw
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College
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Bashford T, Vercueil A. Anaesthetic research in low- and middle-income countries. Anaesthesia 2018; 74:143-146. [PMID: 30525200 PMCID: PMC6587512 DOI: 10.1111/anae.14518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Bashford
- National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Vercueil
- Departments of Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia, King's College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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Nielsen KR, Becerra R, Mallma G, Tantaleán da Fieno J. Successful Deployment of High Flow Nasal Cannula in a Peruvian Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Using Implementation Science-Lessons Learned. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:85. [PMID: 29696135 PMCID: PMC5904213 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lower respiratory infections are the leading cause of death outside the neonatal period for children less than 5 years of age. Widespread availability of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation in resource-rich settings has reduced mortality rates; however, these technologies are not always available in many low- and middle-income countries due to the high cost and trained personnel required to implement and sustain their use. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a form of non-invasive respiratory support with growing evidence for use in pediatric respiratory failure. Its simple interface makes utilization in resource-limited settings appealing, although widespread implementation in these settings lags behind resource-rich settings. Implementation science is an emerging field dedicated to closing the know-do gap by incorporating evidence-based interventions into routine care, and its principles have guided the scaling up of many global health interventions. In 2016, we introduced HFNC use for respiratory failure in a pediatric intensive care unit in Lima, Peru using implementation science methodology. Here, we review our experience in the context of the principles of implementation science to serve as a guide for others considering HFNC implementation in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie R Nielsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Rosario Becerra
- Departamento de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Lima, Peru
| | - Gabriela Mallma
- Departamento de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Lima, Peru
| | - José Tantaleán da Fieno
- Departamento de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Lima, Peru.,Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Peru
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Ttendo SS, Was A, Preston MA, Munyarugero E, Kerry VB, Firth PG. Retrospective Descriptive Study of an Intensive Care Unit at a Ugandan Regional Referral Hospital. World J Surg 2017; 40:2847-2856. [PMID: 27506722 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-016-3644-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We describe delivery and outcomes of critical care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, a Ugandan secondary referral hospital serving a large, widely dispersed rural population. METHODS Retrospective observational study of ICU admissions was performed from January 2008 to December 2011. RESULTS Of 431 admissions, 239 (55.4 %) were female, and 142 (33.2 %) were children (<18 years). The median length of stay was 2 (IQR 1-4) days, with 365 patients (85 %) staying less than 8 days. Indications for admission were surgical 49.3 % (n = 213), medical/pediatric 27.4 % (n = 118), or obstetrical/gynecological 22.3 % (n = 96). The overall mortality rate was 37.6 % (162/431) [adults 39.3 % (n = 113/287), children 33.5 % (n = 48/143), unspecified age 100 % (n = 1/1)]. Of the 162 deaths, 76 (46.9 %) occurred on the first, 20 (12.3 %) on the second, 23 (14.2 %) on the third, and 43 (26.5 %) on a subsequent day of admission. Mortality rates for common diagnoses were surgical abdomen 31.9 % (n = 29/91), trauma 45.5 % (n = 30/66), head trauma 59.6 % (n = 28/47), and poisoning 28.6 % (n = 10/35). The rate of mechanical ventilation was 49.7 % (n = 214/431). The mortality rate of ventilated patients was 73.5 % (n = 119/224). The multivariate odd ratio estimates of mortality were significant for ventilation [aOR 6.15 (95 % CI 3.83-9.87), p < 0.0001] and for length of stay beyond seven days [aOR 0.37 (95 % CI 0.19-0.70), p = 0.0021], but not significant for decade of age [aOR 1.06 (95 % CI 0.94-1.20), p = 0.33], gender [aOR 0.61(95 % CI 0.38-0.99), p = 0.07], or diagnosis type [medical vs. surgical aOR 1.08 (95 % CI 0. 63-1.84), medical vs. obstetric/gynecology aOR 0.73 (95 % CI 0.37-1.43), p = 0.49]. CONCLUSIONS The ICU predominantly functions as an acute care unit for critically ill young patients, with most deaths occurring within the first 48 h of admission. Expansion of critical care capacity in low-income countries should be accompanied by measurement of the nature and impact of this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen S Ttendo
- Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Adam Was
- Department of Pediatrics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Preston
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emmanuel Munyarugero
- Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Vanessa B Kerry
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul G Firth
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Olayemi E, Asare EV, Benneh-Akwasi Kuma AA. Guidelines in lower-middle income countries. Br J Haematol 2017; 177:846-854. [PMID: 28295193 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Guidelines include recommendations intended to optimize patient care; used appropriately, they make healthcare consistent and efficient. In most lower-middle income countries (LMICs), there is a paucity of well-designed guidelines; as a result, healthcare workers depend on guidelines developed in Higher Income Countries (HICs). However, local guidelines are more likely to be implemented because they are applicable to the specific environment; and consider factors such as availability of resources, specialized skills and local culture. If guidelines developed in HICs are to be implemented in LMICs, developers need to incorporate local experts in their development. Involvement of local stakeholders may improve the rates of implementation by identifying and removing barriers to implementation in LMICs. Another option is to encourage local experts to adapt them for use in LMICs; these guidelines may recommend strategies different from those used in HICs, but will be aimed at achieving the best practicable standard of care. Infrastructural deficits in LMICs could be improved by learning from and building on the successful response to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pandemic through interactions between HICs and LMICs. Similarly, collaborations between postgraduate medical colleges in both HICs and LMICs may help specialist doctors training in LMICs develop skills required for guideline development and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edeghonghon Olayemi
- Department of Haematology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eugenia V Asare
- Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
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Tadyanemhandu C, Manie S. Implementation of the physical function ICU test tool in a resource constrained intensive care unit to promote early mobilisation of critically ill patients- a feasibility study. Arch Physiother 2016; 6:12. [PMID: 29340193 PMCID: PMC5759917 DOI: 10.1186/s40945-016-0026-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The shift of focus in outcome measures from mortality to assessment of functional status in intensive care unit (ICU) patients has resulted in the emergence of mobilisation of critically ill patients as a standard physiotherapy practice in most medium and high income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of an early mobilisation program and to report on the changes in patient clinical outcomes following the intervention in a low income country. Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out at one public hospital. An adult cohort of 35 patients was recruited within 24 h of being admitted into the unit, irrespective of ventilation method over a period of three months. An early mobilisation programme was implemented and prescribed using the Physical Function ICU Test (PFIT-s) which commenced in either the ICU or high dependent unit. Results The median age of the 35 patients was 29 years (IQR = 24–45 years). More than half of the patients had undergone surgery due to either gastrointestinal problems or obstetrical complications. A total of 94 out of a possible of 219 exercise sessions were delivered to the patients (43.0 %). The tool was implemented in 32 (91.4 %) patients on the initial PFIT-s measurement and 16 (45.7 %) of the patients required the assistance of two people to stand. The Initial PFIT-s mean score was 5.3 ± 1.8. On final PFIT-s measurement, out of the 30 (85.7 %) patients seen, 15 (42.9 %) of the patients did not require any assistance to stand and the final PFIT-s mean score was 7.0 ± 1.9. There was a significant difference in both the initial PFIT-s total score (t-value = 2.34, df = 30, p = .03) and the final PFIT-s score (t-value = 3.66, df = 28, p = .001) between males and females. During the treatment, no adverse event occurred in any of the patients. Conclusion An early mobilisation program using PFIT-s was feasible and safe. There was a difference in functional capability based on gender, with males being more functionally active. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria can lead to a delayed early mobilisation activities in ICU patients. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201408000829202. Registered 15 August 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Tadyanemhandu
- Department of Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box AV 178. Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Shamila Manie
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abstract
The capacity to care for the critically ill has long been viewed as a fundamental element of established and comprehensive health care systems. Extending this capacity to health care systems in low- and middle-income countries is important given the burden of disease in these regions and the significance of critical care in overall health system strengthening. However, many practicalities of improving access and delivery of critical care in resource-limited settings have yet to be elucidated. We have initiated a program to build capacity for the care of critically ill patients in one low-income Southeast Asian country, Cambodia. We are leveraging existing international academic partnerships to enhance postgraduate critical care education in Cambodia. After conducting a needs assessment and literature review, we developed a three-step initiative targeting training in mechanical ventilation. First, we assessed and revised the current resident curriculum pertaining to mechanical ventilation. We addressed gaps in training, incorporated specific goals and learning objectives, and decreased the hours of lectures in favor of additional bedside training. Second, we are incorporating e-learning, e-teaching, and e-assessment into the curriculum, with both live, interactive and independent, self-paced online instruction. Third, we are developing a train-the-trainer program defined by bidirectional international faculty exchanges to provide hands-on, case-based, and bedside training to achieve competency-based outcomes. In targeting specific educational needs and a key population-the next generation of Cambodian intensivists-this carefully designed approach should address some existing gaps in the health care system and hopefully yield a lasting impact.
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Turner EL, Nielsen KR, Jamal SM, von Saint André-von Arnim A, Musa NL. A Review of Pediatric Critical Care in Resource-Limited Settings: A Look at Past, Present, and Future Directions. Front Pediatr 2016; 4:5. [PMID: 26925393 PMCID: PMC4757646 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2016.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fifteen years ago, United Nations world leaders defined millenium development goal 4 (MDG 4): to reduce under-5-year mortality rates by two-thirds by the year 2015. Unfortunately, only 27 of 138 developing countries are expected to achieve MDG 4. The majority of childhood deaths in these settings result from reversible causes, and developing effective pediatric emergency and critical care services could substantially reduce this mortality. The Ebola outbreak highlighted the fragility of health care systems in resource-limited settings and emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the global approach to healthcare delivery related to critical illness. This review provides an overview of pediatric critical care in resource-limited settings and outlines strategies to address challenges specific to these areas. Implementation of these tools has the potential to move us toward delivery of an adequate standard of critical care for all children globally, and ultimately decrease global child mortality in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Turner
- Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, Pediatric Hospital Medicine , Medford, OR , USA
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Multimodality monitoring consensus statement: monitoring in emerging economies. Neurocrit Care 2015; 21 Suppl 2:S239-69. [PMID: 25208665 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-014-0019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The burden of disease and so the need for care is often greater at hospitals in emerging economies. This is compounded by frequent restrictions in the delivery of good quality clinical care due to resource limitations. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in this economically defined group, such that advanced brain monitoring is routinely practiced at certain centers that have an interest in neurocritical care. It also must be recognized that significant heterogeneity in the delivery of neurocritical care exists even within individual high-income countries (HICs), determined by costs and level of interest. Direct comparisons of data between HICs and the group of low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) are made difficult by differences in patient demographics, selection for ICU admission, therapies administered, and outcome assessment. Evidence suggests that potential benefits of multimodality monitoring depend on an appropriate environment and clinical expertise. There is no evidence to suggest that patients in LAMICs where such resources exist should be treated any differently to patients from HICs. The potential for outcome benefits in LAMICs is arguably greater in absolute terms because of the large burden of disease; however, the relative cost/benefit ratio of such monitoring in this setting must be viewed in context of the overall priorities in delivering health care at individual institutions.
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Tadyanemhandu C, Manie S. Profile of patients and physiotherapy patterns in intensive care units in public hospitals in Zimbabwe: a descriptive cross-sectional study. BMC Anesthesiol 2015; 15:136. [PMID: 26445959 PMCID: PMC4596458 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-015-0120-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physiotherapy is integral to patient management in the Intensive Care Unit. The precise role that physiotherapists play in the critical care differs significantly worldwide. The aim of the study was to describe the profile of patients and the current patterns of physiotherapy services delivered for patients admitted in the five public hospital intensive care units in Zimbabwe. Methods A prospective record review was performed and records of all consecutive patients admitted into the five units during a two months period were included in the analysis. The data was collected using a checklist and the following were recorded for each patient: 1) demographic information, 2) admission diagnoses, 3) surgery classification, 4) method and time of mechanical ventilation 5) physiotherapy techniques and frequency and 6) the length of stay. Results A total of 137 patients were admitted to five units during the study. The mean age of patients in the study was 36.0 years (SD = 16.6). A mortality rate of 17.5 % was observed with most of the patients being below the age of 45 years. The majority of the patients, 61(45 %) had undergone emergency surgery and were in the ICU for postoperative treatment, whilst only 19(14 %) were in the units for clinical treatment (non-surgical). On admission, 72(52.6 %) of the patients were on mechanical ventilation. The mean duration on mechanical ventilation for patients was 4.0 days (SD =2.7) and a length of stay in the unit of 4.5 days (SD = 3.0). Of the patients who were admitted into the ICU 120 (87.6 %) had at least one session of physiotherapy treatment during their stay. The mean number of days physiotherapy treatment was received was 3.71 (SD = 3.14) days. The most commonly used physiotherapy techniques were active assisted limb movements (66.4 %), deep breathing exercises (65.0 %) and forced expiratory techniques (65.0 %). Conclusion A young population admitted in the ICU for post-surgical treatment was observed across all hospital ICUs. The techniques which were executed in Zimbabwean ICUs showed that the goal of the physiotherapy treatment was mainly to prevent and treat respiratory complications and a culture of promoting bed rest still existed. Trial registration PACTR201408000829202
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Tadyanemhandu
- Department of Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box AV 178., Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Shamila Manie
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Bordes J, Cungi PJ, Savoie PH, Bonnet S, Kaiser E. Usefulness of routine preoperative testing in a developing country: a prospective study. Pan Afr Med J 2015; 21:94. [PMID: 26516395 PMCID: PMC4606028 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2015.21.94.5860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The assessment of anesthetic risks is an essential component of preoperative evaluation. In developing world, preanesthesia evaluation may be challenging because patient's medical history and records are scare, and language barrier limits physical examination. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of routine preoperative testing in a low-resources setting. Methods Prospective observational study performed in a French forward surgical unit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. 201 patients who were scheduled for non urgent surgery were screened with routine laboratory exams during preoperative evaluation. Changes in surgery were assessed (delayed or scheduled). Results Abnormal hemoglobin findings were reported in 35% of patients, abnormal WBC count in 11,1% of patients, abnormal platelets in 15,3% of patients. Positive HIV results were found in 8,3% of cases. Routine tests represented 43,6% of changes causes. Conclusion Our study showed that in a developing country, routine preoperative tests showed abnormal results up to 35% of cases, and represented 43,5% of delayed surgery causes. The rate of tests leading to management changes varied widely, from 0% to 8,3%. These results suggested that selected tests would be useful to diagnose diseases that required treatment before non urgent surgery. However, larger studies are needeed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio and the clinical impact of such a strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Bordes
- Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, HIA Sainte Anne, Toulon, France
| | | | | | | | - Eric Kaiser
- Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, HIA Sainte Anne, Toulon, France
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Abebe T, Girmay M, G/Michael G, Tesfaye M. The epidemiological profile of pediatric patients admitted to the general intensive care unit in an Ethiopian university hospital. Int J Gen Med 2015; 8:63-7. [PMID: 25678810 PMCID: PMC4319554 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s76378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In least developing countries, there are few data on children's critical care. This makes the provision of aid and improvement of outcome difficult. OBJECTIVES To describe admission and outcome patterns of children managed in a general intensive care unit at Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), Ethiopia, over a 5-year period. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. All children from birth to 14 years of age who were admitted to the general ICU of the hospital from 2009-2013 were included. Patient charts and ICU documentation log were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 170 children were admitted to the ICU of JUSH over the study period. The greater share was taken by males (54.7%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. The overall mortality rate was 40%. The majority of the children were in the age range of 10-14 years (38.8%). Of the total number of patients admitted, 34.7% were trauma cases, 45.8% of whom died. The highest percentage, 69.5%, of trauma patients were admitted for head injuries. Among the trauma cases, burn and polytrauma were the second and third leading causes (15.3%) of admission. Postoperative patients and medical patients accounted for the rest of the admitted cases (28.2% and 27.6% of the cases respectively). CONCLUSION The leading cause of admission and death was trauma. Postoperative and medical causes of admission were also significant. The mortality rate in the ICU was very high, and this could be due to various factors. Further research benchmarking and interventions are highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teshome Abebe
- Department of Anesthesia, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mullu Girmay
- Department of Anesthesia, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Murthy S, Leligdowicz A, Adhikari NKJ. Intensive care unit capacity in low-income countries: a systematic review. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116949. [PMID: 25617837 PMCID: PMC4305307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Access to critical care is a crucial component of healthcare systems. In low-income countries, the burden of critical illness is substantial, but the capacity to provide care for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) is unknown. Our aim was to systematically review the published literature to estimate the current ICU capacity in low-income countries. Methods We searched 11 databases and included studies of any design, published 2004-August 2014, with data on ICU capacity for pediatric and adult patients in 36 low-income countries (as defined by World Bank criteria; population 850 million). Neonatal, temporary, and military ICUs were excluded. We extracted data on ICU bed numbers, capacity for mechanical ventilation, and information about the hospital, including referral population size, public accessibility, and the source of funding. Analyses were descriptive. Results Of 1,759 citations, 43 studies from 15 low-income countries met inclusion criteria. They described 36 individual ICUs in 31 cities, of which 16 had population greater than 500,000, and 14 were capital cities. The median annual ICU admission rate was 401 (IQR 234-711; 24 ICUs with data) and median ICU size was 8 beds (IQR 5-10; 32 ICUs with data). The mean ratio of adult and pediatric ICU beds to hospital beds was 1.5% (SD 0.9%; 15 hospitals with data). Nepal and Uganda, the only countries with national ICU bed data, had 16.7 and 1.0 ICU beds per million population, respectively. National data from other countries were not available. Conclusions Low-income countries lack ICU beds, and more than 50% of these countries lack any published data on ICU capacity. Most ICUs in low-income countries are located in large referral hospitals in cities. A central database of ICU resources is required to evaluate health system performance, both within and between countries, and may help to develop related health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Murthy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Neill K. J. Adhikari
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Stafford RE, Morrison CA, Godfrey G, Mahalu W. Challenges to the provision of emergency services and critical care in resource-constrained settings. Glob Heart 2014; 9:319-23. [PMID: 25667183 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The practice of intensive care unit (ICU) care in Sub-Saharan Africa is challenging and can have a significant impact on the lives of people in the region. Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate global burden of disease compared with the rest of the world. Inadequate emergency care services and transportation infrastructure; long lead times to hospital admission, evaluation, treatment and transfer to ICU; inadequate ICU and hospital infrastructure and, unreliable consumable and medical equipment supply chains all present significant challenges to the provision of ICU care in Sub-Saharan Africa. These challenges, coupled with an inadequate supply of trained healthcare workers and biomedical technicians and a lack of formal ICU-related research in Sub-Saharan Africa, would seem to be insurmountable. However, ICU care is being provided in district and regional hospitals throughout the region. We describe some of the challenges to the provision of emergency services and critical care in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renae E Stafford
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Wurzburg Road, Mwanza, Tanzania; Sengerema Designated District Hospital, Sengerema, Tanzania; Touch Foundation, Mwanza, Tanzania.
| | - Catherine A Morrison
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Wurzburg Road, Mwanza, Tanzania; Sengerema Designated District Hospital, Sengerema, Tanzania; Touch Foundation, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Godwin Godfrey
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Wurzburg Road, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - William Mahalu
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Wurzburg Road, Mwanza, Tanzania
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Sawe HR, Mfinanga JA, Lidenge SJ, Mpondo BCT, Msangi S, Lugazia E, Mwafongo V, Runyon MS, Reynolds TA. Disease patterns and clinical outcomes of patients admitted in intensive care units of tertiary referral hospitals of Tanzania. BMC INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2014; 14:26. [PMID: 25245028 PMCID: PMC4204389 DOI: 10.1186/1472-698x-14-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) services is limited by a variety of factors, including lack of financial resources, lack of available technology and well-trained staff. Tanzania has four main referral hospitals, located in zones so as to serve as tertiary level referral centers. All the referral hospitals have some ICU services, operating at varying levels of equipment and qualified staff. We analyzed and describe the disease patterns and clinical outcomes of patients admitted in ICUs of the tertiary referral hospitals of Tanzania. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of ICU patient records, for three years (2009 to 2011) from all tertiary referral hospitals of Tanzania, namely Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Mbeya Referral Hospital (MRH) and Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). Results MNH is the largest of the four referral hospitals with 1300 beds, and MRH is the smallest with 480 beds. The ratio of hospital beds to ICU beds is 217:1 at MNH, 54:1 at BMC, 39:1 at KCMC, and 80:1 at MRH. KCMC had no infusion pumps. None of the ICUs had a point-of-care (POC) arterial blood gas (ABG) analyzer. None of the ICUs had an Intensive Care specialist or a nutritionist. A masters-trained critical care nurse was available only at MNH. From 2009–2011, the total number of patients admitted to the four ICUs was 5627, male to female ratio 1.4:1, median age of 34 years. Overall, Trauma (22.2%) was the main disease category followed by infectious disease (19.7%). Intracranial injury (12.5%) was the leading diagnosis in all age groups, while pneumonia (11.7%) was the leading diagnosis in pediatric patients (<18 years). Patients with tetanus (2.4%) had the longest median length ICU stay: 8 (5,13) days. The overall in-ICU mortality rate was 41.4%. Conclusions The ICUs in tertiary referral hospitals of Tanzania are severely limited in infrastructure, personnel, and resources, making it difficult or impossible to provide optimum care to critically ill patients and likely contributing to the dauntingly high mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendry R Sawe
- Emergency Medicine Department, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
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Abstract
Although critical care medicine has been established as a separate specialty in the rest of the world it is still in its initial stages of development in Nepal and intensive care units (ICUs) here are still in primitive stages. This article describes the history, the types and current status of ICUs, the challenges, and academic training and certification in critical care medicine in Nepal, compared with existing ICUs in other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Prasad Acharya
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine (IOM), Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Krishnamoorthy V, Vavilala MS, Mock CN. The need for ventilators in the developing world: An opportunity to improve care and save lives. J Glob Health 2014; 4:010303. [PMID: 24976958 PMCID: PMC4073242 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.04.010303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA ; Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Monica S Vavilala
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Washington, Seattle, WA, USA ; Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery and Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Charles N Mock
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Washington, Seattle, WA, USA ; Departments of Surgery and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Smith ZA, Ayele Y, McDonald P. Outcomes in critical care delivery at Jimma University Specialised Hospital, Ethiopia. Anaesth Intensive Care 2013; 41:363-8. [PMID: 23659399 DOI: 10.1177/0310057x1304100314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess outcomes following intensive care unit (ICU) admissions at Jimma University Specialised Hospital, Ethiopia. This was a retrospective observational study. Data were collected regarding all ICU admissions and discharges during a 12-month period beginning August 2011. Demographic data and information regarding diagnosis, length-of-stay and outcome were gathered and data analysed. There were 370 admissions to the ICU during the study period. Median age (interquartile range) was 32.0 (22.0-47.0) years and 56.2% were males. The median length-of-stay (interquartile range) was 3.0 (1.0-7.0) days. The overall ICU mortality rate was 50.4% and major causes included trauma, cardiac disease, acute abdominal presentations, septic shock, tetanus and hysterectomy secondary to uterine rupture. Medical diagnoses accounted for 50.1% of admissions followed by surgery (43.2%) and obstetrics (5.8%). Corresponding mortality rates were 53.6, 48.0 and 42.9%, respectively. The main cause for surgical admission was trauma, with head injury carrying a mortality of 52.1%. The principal cause for medical admission was cardiac disease. In children, trauma, upper airway obstruction and communicable diseases were most common. Critical care mortality rates at this Ethiopian university hospital reflect the challenges facing critical care delivery in the developing world. Delayed presentation to hospital secondary to poor access to healthcare plays a predominant role. This is confounded by inadequate staffing, training, diagnostic and interventional limitations. Despite resource restraints, simple cost-effective measures may improve morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z A Smith
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Jimma University Specialised Hospital, Jimma, Ethiopia.
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Ralston ME, Day LT, Slusher TM, Musa NL, Doss HS. Global paediatric advanced life support: improving child survival in limited-resource settings. Lancet 2013; 381:256-65. [PMID: 23332963 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(12)61191-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all global mortality in children younger than 5 years (99%) occurs in developing countries. The leading causes of mortality in children younger than 5 years worldwide, pneumonia and diarrhoeal illness, account for 1·396 and 0·801 million annual deaths, respectively. Although important advances in prevention are being made, advanced life support management in children in developing countries is often incomplete because of limited resources. Existing advanced life support management guidelines for children in limited-resource settings are mainly empirical, rather than evidence-based, written for the hospital setting, not standardised with a systematic approach to patient assessment and categorisation of illness, and taught in current paediatric advanced life support training courses from the perspective of full-resource settings. In this Review, we focus on extension of higher quality emergency and critical care services to children in developing countries. When integrated into existing primary care programmes, simple inexpensive advanced life support management can improve child survival worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Ralston
- Department of Pediatrics, Naval Hospital, Oak Harbor, WA 98278, USA
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Ilori IU, Kalu QN. Intensive care admissions and outcome at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. J Crit Care 2012; 27:105.e1-4. [PMID: 22304993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2011.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2011] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
An intensive care unit (ICU) is for critically ill patients who are likely to benefit from the expertise care provided. The outcome is dependent on the available human and material resources. The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital is a 410-bed hospital. It has a 3-bed general ICU consisting of 2 adult and 1 pediatric beds. A retrospective analysis of all ICU admissions as well as the mortality rate during a 12-month period that spans April 2009 and March 2010 was done. The data were collected from the ICU admissions and nurses' report books. The data extracted were the patients ages, stratified to pediatric (0-18 years) and adult (>18 years); the source of admission, primary diagnosis, the duration of admission, and the patients who were ventilated were also noted. The outcome in terms of mortality was examined in relation to parameters stated above. Eighty-five patients were admitted during the 1-year period, with a bed occupancy rate of 23%. There were 11 (12.9%) pediatric patients and 74 (87.1%) adult patients. Sources of admissions were 64 (75.3%) patients from the operating room, 8 (9.4%) from the inpatient wards, and 13 (15.3%) from the accident and emergency department. Among the adult patients, there were 23 (31%) patients with trauma. There were 45 (61%) surgical patients and 6 (8%) medical patients. Sixteen (19%) patients were mechanically ventilated. The overall mortality was 28 (32.9%). Sixty-four percent of the mortality occurred during the first 24 hours of admission. A mortality rate of 83.3% was recorded among medical patients and 62.5% in those referred from the wards. In mechanically ventilated patients, the mortality rate was 62.5%. Ventilator malfunction, power failure, and oxygen exhaustion led to the unfavorable outcome in patients who were ventilated. In pediatric patients, the mortality rate was 45.5%. Early identification and referral of critically ill patients from the wards, availability of ventilator with battery backup, and maintenance of functioning equipment would reduce the high mortality rate recorded in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iniabasi U Ilori
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria.
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Westcott M, Martiniuk AL, Fowler RA, Adhikari NK, Dalipanda T. Critical care resources in the Solomon Islands: a cross-sectional survey. BMC INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2012; 12:1. [PMID: 22376229 PMCID: PMC3307438 DOI: 10.1186/1472-698x-12-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background There are minimal data available on critical care case-mix, care processes and outcomes in lower and middle income countries (LMICs). The objectives of this paper were to gather data in the Solomon Islands in order to gain a better understanding of common presentations of critical illness, available hospital resources, and what resources would be helpful in improving the care of these patients in the future. Methods This study used a mixed methods approach, including a cross sectional survey of respondents' opinions regarding critical care needs, ethnographic information and qualitative data. Results The four most common conditions leading to critical illness in the Solomon Islands are malaria, diseases of the respiratory system including pneumonia and influenza, diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis. Complications of surgery and trauma less frequently result in critical illness. Respondents emphasised the need for basic critical care resources in LMICs, including equipment such as oximeters and oxygen concentrators; greater access to medications and blood products; laboratory services; staff education; and the need for at least one national critical care facility. Conclusions A large degree of critical illness in LMICs is likely due to inadequate resources for primary prevention and healthcare; however, for patients who fall through the net of prevention, there may be simple therapies and context-appropriate resources to mitigate the high burden of morbidity and mortality. Emphasis should be on the development and acquisition of simple and inexpensive tools rather than complicated equipment, to prevent critical care from unduly diverting resources away from other important parts of the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Westcott
- George Institute for Global Health, PO Box M201, Missenden Road Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
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Intensive care in poor-resource settings: solutions are in the hands at home. Crit Care Med 2011; 39:2385; author reply 2385-6. [PMID: 21926511 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e31822570c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Public health emergencies resulting from major man-made crises and large-scale natural disasters severely impact developing countries, causing unprecedented rates of indirect mortality and morbidity, especially in children and women. Concomitantly, the state of children's health in the least-developed countries is the worst since the 1950s before the Declaration of Alma Ata. Worldwide decline in public health protections, infrastructures, and systems, and a health worker crisis primarily in Africa and Asia, limit the delivery of intensive and critical care services. METHODS In May 2008, the Task Force for Mass Critical Care published guidance on provision of mass critical care to adults. Acknowledging that the critical care needs of children during disasters were unaddressed by this effort, a 17-member Steering Committee, assembled by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education with guidance from members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, convened in April 2009 to determine priority topic areas for pediatric emergency mass critical care recommendations.Steering Committee members established subgroups by topic area and performed literature reviews of MEDLINE and Ovid databases. The Steering Committee produced draft outlines through consensus-based study of the literature and convened October 6-7, 2009, in New York, NY, to review and revise each outline. Eight draft documents were subsequently developed from the revised outlines as well as through searches of MEDLINE updated through March 2010.The Pediatric Emergency Mass Critical Care Task Force, composed of 36 experts from diverse public health, medical, and disaster response fields, convened in Atlanta, GA, on March 29-30, 2010. Feedback on each manuscript was compiled and the Steering Committee revised each document to reflect expert input in addition to the most current medical literature. TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS Using pandemics as a model of public health emergencies, steps to improve care to the most vulnerable of populations are outlined, including mandates under the International Health Regulations Treaty of 2007 and World Health Organization guidelines. Recommendations include an emphasis on first improving primary care, prevention, and basic emergency care, where possible. Advances in care should move incrementally without compromising primary care resources. A first step in preparing for a pandemic in developing countries involves building capacity in public health surveillance and proven community containment and mitigation strategies. Given the severe lack of healthcare workers in at least 57 countries, the Task Force also supports World Health Organization's recommendations that planning for a public health emergency include means for health workers to collaborate with staff in the military, transport, and education sectors as well as international healthcare workers to maximize the efficiency of scarce human resources. Rapid response teams can be augmented by international subject matter experts if these do not exist at the country level.
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Baelani I, Jochberger S, Laimer T, Otieno D, Kabutu J, Wilson I, Baker T, Dünser MW. Availability of critical care resources to treat patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in Africa: a self-reported, continent-wide survey of anaesthesia providers. CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2011; 15:R10. [PMID: 21219619 PMCID: PMC3222039 DOI: 10.1186/cc9410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Introduction It is unknown whether resources necessary to implement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines and sepsis bundles are available in Africa. This self-reported, continent-wide survey compared the availability of these resources between African and high-income countries, and between two African regions (Sub-Sahara Africa vs. South Africa, Mauritius and the Northern African countries). Methods The study was conducted as an anonymous questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey among anaesthesia providers attending a transcontinental congress. Based on the respondents' country of practice, returned questionnaires were grouped into African and high-income countries. The questionnaire contained 74 items and evaluated all material resources required to implement the most recent Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Group comparisons were performed with the Chi2, Fisher's Exact or Mann Whitney U test, as appropriate. Results The overall response rate was 74.3% (318/428). Three-hundred-seven questionnaires were analysed (African countries, n = 263; high-income countries, n = 44). Respondents from African hospitals were less likely to have an emergency room (85.5 vs. 97.7%, P = 0.03) or intensive care unit (73.8 vs. 100%, P < 0.001) than respondents from high-income countries. Drugs, equipment, and disposable materials required to implement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines or sepsis bundles were less frequently available in African than high-income countries. Of all African and Sub-Saharan African countries, 1.5% (4/263) and 1.2% (3/248) of respondents had the resources available to implement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in entirety. The percentage of implementable recommendations was lower in African than in high-income countries (72.6 (57.7 to 87.7)% vs. 100 (100 to 100)%, P < 0.001) and lower in Sub-Saharan African countries than South Africa, Mauritius, and the Northern African countries (72.6 (56.2 to 86.3)% vs. 90.4 (71.2 to 94.5)%, P = 0.02). Conclusions The results of this self-reported survey strongly suggest that the most recent Surviving Sepsis guidelines cannot be implemented in Africa, particularly not in Sub-Saharan Africa, due to a shortage of required hospital facilities, equipment, drugs and disposable materials. However, availability of resources to implement the majority of strong Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommendations and the sepsis bundles may allow modification of current sepsis guidelines based on available resources and implementation of a substantial number of life-saving interventions into sepsis care in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inipavudu Baelani
- Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, DOCS Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
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Tully R, Eltringham R, Walker IA, Bartlett AJ. The Portable Glostavent®: A New Anaesthetic Machine for use in Difficult Situations. Anaesth Intensive Care 2010; 38:1085-9. [DOI: 10.1177/0310057x1003800620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A portable version of the Glostavent® anaesthetic machine is described in which recent developments in draw-over technology are incorporated into a traditional draw-over anaesthetic system. The additional features include a more efficient reservoir and an improved vaporiser, which have enhanced the performance and versatility. The portable Glostavent weighs less than 10 kg and is transported in a container the size of a small suitcase. It can be used to provide inhalational anaesthesia safely and economically in situations where there are no support facilities. It is ideal for use in battlefield or disaster situations and in isolated hospitals in disadvantaged regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Tully
- Department of Anaesthesia, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Development Engineer, Department of Engineering, Diamedica Ltd, Bratton Fleming, Devon
| | - R. Eltringham
- Department of Anaesthesia, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Consultant Anaesthetist
| | - I. A. Walker
- Department of Anaesthesia, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Consultant Anaesthetist, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
| | - A. J. Bartlett
- Department of Anaesthesia, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Specialist Trainee, Bristol School of Anaesthesia, Bristol
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Okafor UV. Challenges in critical care services in Sub-Saharan Africa: perspectives from Nigeria. Indian J Crit Care Med 2010; 13:25-7. [PMID: 19881176 PMCID: PMC2772254 DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.53112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical care services in Nigeria and other West African countries had been hampered by economic reversals resulting in low wages, manpower flight overseas, government apathy towards funding of hospitals, and endemic corruption. Since then things have somewhat improved with the government's willingness to invest more in healthcare, and clampdown on resource diversion in some countries like Nigeria. Due to the health needs of these countries, including funding and preventive medicine, it may take a long time to reach reasonably high standards. Things are better than they were several years ago and that gives cause for optimism, especially with the debt cancellation by Western nations for most countries in the region. Since most of the earlier studies have been done by visiting doctors, mainly outside the West African subregion, this paper seeks to present a view of the challenges faced by providers of critical care services in the region, so that people do not have to rely on anecdotal evidence for future references.
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Affiliation(s)
- U V Okafor
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
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Dyer RA, Reed AR, James MF. Obstetric anaesthesia in low-resource settings. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2010; 24:401-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2009.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Lott JP, Iwashyna TJ, Christie JD, Asch DA, Kramer AA, Kahn JM. Critical illness outcomes in specialty versus general intensive care units. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009; 179:676-83. [PMID: 19201923 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200808-1281oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE General intensive care units (ICUs) provide care across a wide range of diagnoses, whereas specialty ICUs provide diagnosis-specific care. Risk-adjusted outcome differences across such units are unknown. OBJECTIVES To determine the association between specialty ICU care and the outcome of critical illness. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study design analyzing patients admitted to 124 ICUs participating in the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV from January 2002 to December 2005. We examined 84,182 patients admitted to specialty and general ICUs with an admitting diagnosis or procedure of acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, pneumonia, abdominal surgery, or coronary-artery bypass graft surgery. ICU type was determined by a local data coordinator at each site. Patients were classified by admission to a general ICU, a diagnosis-appropriate ("ideal") specialty ICU, or a diagnosis-inappropriate ("non-ideal") specialty ICU. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and ICU length of stay. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS After adjusting for important confounders, there were no significant differences in risk-adjusted mortality between general versus ideal specialty ICUs for all conditions other than pneumonia. Risk-adjusted mortality was significantly greater for patients admitted to non-ideal specialty ICUs. There was no consistent effect of specialization on length of stay for all patients or for ICU survivors. CONCLUSIONS Ideal specialty ICU care appears to offer no survival benefit over general ICU care for select common diagnoses. Non-ideal specialty ICU care (i.e., "boarding") is associated with increased risk-adjusted mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P Lott
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Abstract
Critical care in low-income countries remains rudimentary. When defined as all aspects of care for patients with sudden, serious, reversible disease, critical care is not disease or age specific and includes triage and emergency medicine, hospital systems, quality of care and Intensive Care Units. This review collates the literature on critical care in low-income countries and explores how the care can be both feasible and effective. Emergency care including triage is often one of the weakest parts of the health system; but if well organized it can be life-saving and cost-effective. Emergency triage and treatment has been developed for paediatric admissions with promising results. Hospital systems do not currently prioritize the critically ill and few hospitals have Intensive Care Units. The quality of care given to inpatients on hospital wards is often poor and could be improved in many ways. There is a lack of training and awareness of the principles of critical care. Basic critical care concentrating on ABC - airway, breathing and circulation - need not be resource intensive. Oxygen is a cheap and effective treatment for pneumonia and other severe disease, but is not always available. Improved critical care could have a significant effect on the burden of disease and effects of ill health. Research into the most cost-effective treatments and methods of caring for critically ill patients is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Baker
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
The United Nations' Millennium Development Goal 4 is to reduce the global under-five mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015. Achieving this goal requires substantial strengthening of health systems in low-income countries. Emergency and critical care services are often one of the weakest parts of the health system and improving such care has the potential to significantly reduce mortality. Introducing effective triage and emergency treatments, establishing hospital systems that prioritize the critically ill and ensuring a reliable oxygen delivery system need not be resource intensive. Improving intensive care units, training health staff in the fundamentals of critical care concentrating on ABC - airway, breathing, and circulation - and developing guidelines for the management of common medical emergencies could all improve the quality of inpatient pediatric care. Integration with obstetrics, adult medicine and surgery in a combined emergency and critical care service would concentrate resources and expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Baker
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Section for Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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