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Brown K, Flores MJ, Haonga B, Chokotho LC, O'Marr JM, Rodarte P, Shearer D, Morshed S. Best Practices for Developing International Academic Partnerships in Orthopaedics. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2024; 106:924-930. [PMID: 37851955 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.23.00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Traumatic and nontraumatic orthopaedic conditions are major contributors to global morbidity and account for the majority of life-years lived with disability worldwide. Additionally, the burden of musculoskeletal injuries has increased substantially over the past 3 decades. Unfortunately, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to orthopaedic care is limited, leading to a disproportionate burden of disease. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery has emphasized the urgent need for unified international commitment and research collaboration to achieve universal access to safe and affordable surgical care. However, conducting high-quality orthopaedic research in LMICs remains challenging as a result of disparities in training, access to resources, infrastructure, and equipment availability. Partnerships between high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs have emerged in recent decades as an effective approach to combatting some of these challenges. These partnerships aim to bridge the gaps by facilitating collaborative research and knowledge exchange. The establishment of successful partnerships requires a collaborative and reciprocal approach that starts with a clear understanding of mutual research aims and the availability of resources. Despite the potential benefits, various factors can make establishing such partnerships difficult. However, these partnerships can have a substantial impact in delivering quality orthopaedic education and research training, thus improving access to care in resource-limited environments. This paper represents the collaborative effort of multiple international academic orthopaedic surgeons with extensive experience in HIC-LMIC partnerships. Our aims were to outline the best practices for conducting orthopaedic research within these relationships and to provide guidance for future successful collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Brown
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Michael J Flores
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Billy Haonga
- Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Jamieson M O'Marr
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Patricia Rodarte
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David Shearer
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Saam Morshed
- Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Belayneh AG, Temachu YZ, Messelu MA, Gebrie MH. Prolonged length of stay and its associated factors at adult emergency department in amhara region comprehensive specialized hospitals, northwest Ethiopia. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:34. [PMID: 36977998 PMCID: PMC10053138 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00804-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Prolonged length of stay at the emergency department interferes with the main goal of emergency care and results in adverse patient outcomes like nosocomial infection, dissatisfaction, morbidity, and mortality. Despite this, little is known about the length of stay and the factors that influence it in Ethiopia’s emergency department.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 495 patients admitted at Amhara region comprehensive specialized hospitals emergency department from May 14 to June 15/2022. A systematic random sampling was employed to select study participants. A pretested structured interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data by using Kobo toolbox software. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Bi-variable logistic regression analysis was carried out to select variables with P-value < 0.25. The significance of association was interpreted using an Adjusted Odds Ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Variables with P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were inferred to be significantly associated with length of stay.
Result
Out of 512 enrolled participants, 495 were participated with a response rate of 96.7%. The prevalence of prolonged length of stay in the adult emergency department was 46.5% (95%CI: 42.1, 51.1). Lack of insurance (AOR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.22, 3.65), non-communicative presentation (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.07, 3.68), delayed consultation (AOR: 9.5; 95% CI: 5.00, 18.03), overcrowding (AOR: 4.98; 95% CI: 2.13, 11.68), and shift change experience (AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.30, 10.37) were significantly associated with prolonged length of stay.
Conclusion
The result of this study is found to be high based on Ethiopian target emergency department patient length of stay. Lack of insurance, presentation without communication, delayed consultation, overcrowding, and shift change experience were significant factors for prolonged emergency department length of stay. Therefore, interventions like expansion of organizational setup are needed to decrease the length of stay to an acceptable level.
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Mumo E, Agutu NO, Moturi AK, Cherono A, Muchiri SK, Snow RW, Alegana VA. Geographic accessibility and hospital competition for emergency blood transfusion services in Bungoma, Western Kenya. Int J Health Geogr 2023; 22:6. [PMID: 36973723 PMCID: PMC10041813 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-023-00327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimating accessibility gaps to essential health interventions helps to allocate and prioritize health resources. Access to blood transfusion represents an important emergency health requirement. Here, we develop geo-spatial models of accessibility and competition to blood transfusion services in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. METHODS Hospitals providing blood transfusion services in Bungoma were identified from an up-dated geo-coded facility database. AccessMod was used to define care-seeker's travel times to the nearest blood transfusion service. A spatial accessibility index for each enumeration area (EA) was defined using modelled travel time, population demand, and supply available at the hospital, assuming a uniform risk of emergency occurrence in the county. To identify populations marginalized from transfusion services, the number of people outside 1-h travel time and those residing in EAs with low accessibility indexes were computed at the sub-county level. Competition between the transfusing hospitals was estimated using a spatial competition index which provided a measure of the level of attractiveness of each hospital. To understand whether highly competitive facilities had better capacity for blood transfusion services, a correlation test between the computed competition metric and the blood units received and transfused at the hospital was done. RESULTS 15 hospitals in Bungoma county provide transfusion services, however these are unevenly distributed across the sub-counties. Average travel time to a blood transfusion centre in the county was 33 min and 5% of the population resided outside 1-h travel time. Based on the accessibility index, 38% of the EAs were classified to have low accessibility, representing 34% of the population, with one sub-county having the highest marginalized population. The computed competition index showed that hospitals in the urban areas had a spatial competitive advantage over those in rural areas. CONCLUSION The modelled spatial accessibility has provided an improved understanding of health care gaps essential for health planning. Hospital competition has been illustrated to have some degree of influence in provision of health services hence should be considered as a significant external factor impacting the delivery, and re-design of available services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eda Mumo
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information System (GEGIS), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nathan O. Agutu
- Department of Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information System (GEGIS), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Angela K. Moturi
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anitah Cherono
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel K. Muchiri
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Robert W. Snow
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Victor A. Alegana
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
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Azad TD, Nair SK, Kalluri AL, Materi J, Ahmed AK, Khalifeh J, Abu-Bonsrah N, Sharwood LN, Sterner RC, Brooks NP, Alomari S, Musharbash FN, Mo K, Lubelski D, Witham TF, Theodore N, Bydon A. Delays in Presentation After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury-A Systematic Review. World Neurosurg 2023; 169:e121-e130. [PMID: 36441093 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.10.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prompt surgical decompression after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) may be associated with improved sensorimotor outcomes. Delays in presentation may prevent timely decompression after TSCI. OBJECTIVE To systematically review existing studies investigating delays in presentation after TSCI in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). METHODS A systematic review was conducted and studies featuring quantitative or qualitative data on prehospital delays in TSCI presentation were included. Studies lacking quantitative or qualitative data on prehospital delays in TSCI presentation, case reports or series with <5 patients, review articles, or animal studies were excluded from our analysis. RESULTS After exclusion criteria were applied, 24 studies were retained, most of which were retrospective. Eleven studies were from LMICs and 13 were from HICs. Patients with TSCI in LMICs were younger than those in HICs, and most patients were male in both groups. A greater proportion of patients with TSCI in studies from LMICs presented >24 hours after injury (HIC average proportion, 12.0%; LMIC average proportion, 49.9%; P = 0.01). Financial barriers, lack of patient awareness and education, and prehospital transportation barriers were more often cited as reasons for delays in LMICs than in HICs, with prehospital transportation barriers cited as a reason for delay by every LMIC study included in this review. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in prehospital infrastructure between HICs and LMICs subject more patients in LMICs to increased delays in presentation to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tej D Azad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sumil K Nair
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anita L Kalluri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua Materi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - A Karim Ahmed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jawad Khalifeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nancy Abu-Bonsrah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Lisa N Sharwood
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School-Northern, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robert C Sterner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nathaniel P Brooks
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Farah N Musharbash
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin Mo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel Lubelski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy F Witham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas Theodore
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ali Bydon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Botes M, Bruce J, Cooke R. How Health Care Practitioners experience emergencies at Primary Health Care facilities – Kinks in the chain of survival. Afr J Emerg Med 2022; 12:423-427. [PMID: 36211986 PMCID: PMC9531042 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2022.09.001] [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] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The 72nd World Health Assembly has recognised that emergency care at primary health care level is vital for reducing overall mortality and disability. The system of emergency care at this level is affected by various external factors. Little is known about these factors and how they shape the experiences of health care practitioners dealing with medical emergencies in Primary Health Care (PHC) settings. The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of health care practitioners in dealing with emergencies in PHC facilities in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Methods A qualitative formative evaluation approach was used. Data were collected using semi structured interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis to describe the experiences of health care practitioners dealing with emergencies at a primary health care level. Participants included health care practitioners from various levels of the district health system. Results Major themes that emerged explored challenges faced by health care practitioners, the referral system and influential policy such as the ideal clinic movement.
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Sultan M, Waganew W, Beza L, GebreMedihin Y, Kidane M. The Status of Facility Based Emergency Care in Public Hospitals of Ethiopia Using WHO Assessment Tool. Ethiop J Health Sci 2022; 32:1093-1100. [PMID: 36475266 PMCID: PMC9692150 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i6.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The availability of emergency care contributes to half of the total mortality burden in a low and middle income countries. The significant proportion of emergency departments in LMICs are understaffed and poorly equipped. The purpose of this study is to examine the status of emergency units and to describe the facilitators and barriers to the provision of facility-based emergency care at selected Ethiopian public hospitals. Methods A mixed-methods explanatory design was used. Ten hospitals were purposively selected due to their high number of patients and referral service. A WHO facility assessment tool was used to quantitatively assess the facilities, and an in-depth interview with hospital and emergency room leadership was conducted. The quantitative results were descriptively analyzed, and the qualitative data was thematically analyzed. Result This survey included a total of ten hospitals. Three of the facilities were general hospitals, and seven were tertiary level hospitals. They all were equipped with an emergency room. All of the studied hospitals serve a population of over one million people. In terms of infrastructure, only 3/10 (30%) have adequate water supply, and alf (5/10) have telephone access in their ED. The qualitative resultshowedthat the most common barriers to emergency care delivery were prolonged patient stays in the emergency room, inadequate equipment, and a shortage of trained professionals. Conclusion The status of emergency care in Ethiopia is still developing, and hospital care as a whole should improve to alleviate the high burden of care in emergency rooms and reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menbeu Sultan
- Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Woldesenbet Waganew
- Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lemlem Beza
- Addis Ababa Univercity department of emergency medicine
| | - Yemene GebreMedihin
- Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mulu Kidane
- Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Theron E, Bills CB, Calvello Hynes EJ, Stassen W, Rublee C. Climate change and emergency care in Africa: A scoping review. Afr J Emerg Med 2022; 12:121-128. [PMID: 35371912 PMCID: PMC8958270 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2022.02.003] [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: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Climate change is a global public health emergency with implications for access to care and emergency care service disruptions. The African continent is particularly vulnerable to climate-related extreme weather events due to an already overburdened health system, lack of early warning signs, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and variable adaptive capacity. Emergency care services are not only utilized during these events but also threatened by these hazards. Considering that the effects of climate change are expected to increase in intensity and prevalence, it is increasingly important for emergency care to prepare to respond to the changes in presentation and demand. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review of the available literature on the relationship between climate change and emergency care on the African continent. Methods A scoping review was completed using five databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, GreenFILE, Africa Wide Information, and Google Scholar. A 'grey' literature search was done to identify key reports and references from included articles. Two independent reviewers screened articles and a third reviewer decided conflicts. A total of 1,382 individual articles were initially screened with 17 meeting full text review. A total of six articles were included in the final analysis. Data from four countries were represented including Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Results Analysis of the six articles yielded three key themes that were identified: climate-related health impacts that contribute to surges in demand and resource utilization, opportunities for health sector engagement, and solutions to improve emergency preparedness. Authors used the outcomes of the review to propose 10 recommendations for decision-makers and leaders. DXDiscussion Incorporating these key recommendations at the local and national level could help improve preparedness and adaptation measures in highly vulnerable, populated areas on the African continent.
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Kaye DK. Navigating ethical challenges of conducting randomized clinical trials on COVID-19. Philos Ethics Humanit Med 2022; 17:2. [PMID: 35086524 PMCID: PMC8794733 DOI: 10.1186/s13010-022-00115-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contemporary frameworks for clinical research require informed consent for research participation that includes disclosure of material information, comprehension of disclosed information and voluntary consent to research participation. There is thus an urgent need to test, and an ethical imperative, to test, modify or refine medications or healthcare plans that could reduce patient morbidity, lower healthcare costs or strengthen healthcare systems. METHODS Conceptual review. DISCUSSION Although some allocation principles seem better than others, no single moral principle allocates interventions justly, necessitating combining the moral principles into multiprinciple allocation systems. The urgency notwithstanding, navigating ethical challenges related to conducting corona virus disease (COVID-19) clinical trials is mandatory, in order to safeguard the safety and welfare of research participants, ensure autonomy of participants, reduce possibilities for exploitation and ensure opportunities for research participation. The ethical challenges to can be categorized as challenges in allocation of resources for research; challenges of clinical equipoise in relation to the research questions; challenges of understanding disclosed information in potential participants; and challenges in obtaining informed consent. CONCLUSION To navigate these challenges, stakeholders need a delicate balance of moral principles during allocation of resources for research. Investigators need to apply information processing theories to aid decision-making about research participation or employ acceptable modifications to improve the informed consent process. Research and ethics committees should strengthen research review and oversight to ensure rigor, responsiveness and transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Kabonge Kaye
- College of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
- Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Deering Hall, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Kumar A, Singh S, Sahu A, Murmu LR, Bhoi S, Aggarwal P, Ekka M, Jamshed N, Gopinath B, Timilsina G. Prospective validation of a novel triage system developed in a middle income country - AIIMS triage protocol. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2022; 15:124-127. [PMID: 36353399 PMCID: PMC9639733 DOI: 10.4103/jets.jets_146_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Triage is a crucial process not only to identify sick patients and prioritize prompt management but also to foster efficient resource utilization. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) most emergency departments (ED) still have an informal triage process. Although an important element of emergency care, triage research has not been a priority in LMICs, and hence, very few triage systems have been validated. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) triage protocol or ATP for adult patients was developed by expert consensus at AIIMS using the Delphi method. We attempted a prospective validation of the ATP in terms of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU)/hospital admission at 24 h. Methods: Patients presenting to the ED, who were 14 years and above were included in the study. The patients were followed up at 24 h and their outcome documented on a standardized data collection form. Mortality and ICU admission were noted at 24 h. Results: A total of 15,505 patients were recruited. After exclusion, among 13,754 patients, 6303 (45.83%) were triaged red and 7451 (54.17%) were triaged yellow. Mortality at 24 h was 10.31% (650) in red triaged patients and 0.35% (26) in yellow triaged patients. The 24-h mortality of red triaged patients was significantly higher (P <0.001) than that of yellow triaged patients. The presence of one or more ATP “Red” criteria was 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94.42%–97.47%) sensitive and 56.8% (95% CI: 55.92%–57.63%) specific in predicting 24-h mortality. The sensitivity and specificity of ATP “Red” criteria for 24-h ICU admission were 98.5% (95% CI: 97.7%–99.1%) and 59.6% (95% CI: 58.8%–60.5%), respectively. Conclusion: When applied to adult nontrauma patients, ATP had a high accuracy in recognizing sick patients presenting to the ED. A time-tested and validated triage system like ATP may be a good starting point for public hospital EDs in LMICs.
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Chipendo PI, Shawar YR, Shiffman J, Razzak JA. Understanding factors impacting global priority of emergency care: a qualitative policy analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e006681. [PMID: 34969680 PMCID: PMC8718415 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The high burden of emergency medical conditions has not been met with adequate financial and political prioritisation especially in low and middle-income countries. We examined the factors that have shaped the priority of global emergency care and highlight potential responses by emergency care advocates. METHODS We conducted semistructured interviews with key experts in global emergency care practice, public health, health policy and advocacy. We then applied a policy framework based on political ethnography and content analysis to code for underlying themes. RESULTS We identified problem definition, coalition building, paucity of data and positioning, as the main challenges faced by emergency care advocates. Problem definition remains the key issue, with divergent ideas on what emergency care is, should be and what solutions are to be prioritised. Proponents have struggled to portray the urgency of the issue in a way that commands action from decision-makers. The lack of data further limits their effectiveness. However, there is much reason for optimism given the network's commitment to the issue, the emerging leadership and the existence of policy windows. CONCLUSION To improve global priority for emergency care, proponents should take advantage of the emerging governance structure and build consensus on definitions, generate data-driven solutions, find strategic framings and engage with non-traditional allies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Portia I Chipendo
- Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yusra R Shawar
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeremy Shiffman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Junaid Abdul Razzak
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Zhao S, Duan X, Cheng L, Jiang J. Perspective and experience of newly graduated registered nurses with standardized training in the emergency department: A qualitative study in Shanghai, China. NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 2021; 105:104994. [PMID: 34174510 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The standardized training system for newly graduated registered nurses (NGRNs) in China is different from that of other countries in the world, especially when frequent disasters occur, emergency department (ED) training is particularly important. However, the work experience of new Chinese nurses in standardized training in the emergency department still remained unclear. OBJECTIVES To explore the experience of newly recruited nurses in standardized training in the emergency department. DESIGN Qualitative research. SETTING A 3rd level hospital in Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen NGRNs undergoing standardized training in the ED. METHODS Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted between August and September 2020. Colaizzi seven-step framework was applied for data analysis. RESULTS Three main themes emerged: high occupational pressure, competency enhancement in ED and high satisfaction with standard training. CONCLUSIONS It is very important and necessary for NGRNs to have a training period in the emergency department. This not only helps NGRNs to improve their abilities in emergency care, but also reserve talents during emergency responses. At the same time, the training methods for NGRNs should be refined and improved, and effective support should be provided. This can help NGRNs relieve from work pressure, better and rapidly adapt to the clinical environment and enter the nursing role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Zhao
- Emergency Department, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xia Duan
- Nursing Department, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200126, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Emergency Department, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jinxia Jiang
- Emergency Department, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
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Rublee C, Bills C, Theron E, Brysiewicz P, Singh S, Muya I, Smith W, Akpevwe OE, Ali LA, Dauda E, Calvello Hynes E. Outcomes of a Climate Change Workshop at the 2020 African Conference on Emergency Medicine. Afr J Emerg Med 2021; 11:372-377. [PMID: 34367899 PMCID: PMC8326188 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2021.05.003] [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: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A changing climate will have demonstrable effects on health and healthcare systems, with specific and disproportionate effects on communities in Africa. Emergency care systems and providers have an opportunity to be at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst health effects from climate change. The 2020 African Conference on Emergency Medicine, under the auspices of the African Federation for Emergency Medicine, convened its first ever workshop on the topic of climate change and human health. Structured as a full day virtual course, the didactic sections were available for both live and asynchronous learning with more than 100 participants enrolled in the course. The workshop introduced the topic of the health effects of climate as they relate to emergency care in Africa and provided a forum to discuss ideas regarding the way forward. Lectures and focused discussions addressed three broad themes related to: health impacts, health care delivery, and advocacy. To our knowledge, this is the first workshop for health professionals to cover topics specific to emergency care, climate change, and health in Africa. The results of this workshop will help to guide future efforts aimed at advancing emergency care approaches in Africa with regard to medical education, research, and policy. African relevance Climate-related extreme weather events are adversely affecting health and health care delivery in African countries. African organisations, cities, and nations have taken positive steps to adapt and build climate resilience. There are opportunities for emergency care professionals and scholars to continue to expand, and lead, climate and health education, research, and policy initiatives on the continent.
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Ngaruiya C, Kawira A, Mali F, Kambua F, Mwangi B, Wambua M, Hersey D, Obare L, Leff R, Wachira B. Systematic review on epidemiology, interventions and management of noncommunicable diseases in acute and emergency care settings in Kenya. Afr J Emerg Med 2021; 11:264-276. [PMID: 33859931 PMCID: PMC8027527 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mortality and morbidity from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa are expected to worsen if the status quo is maintained. Emergency care settings act as a primary point of entry into the health system for a spectrum of NCD-related illnesses, however, there is a dearth of literature on this population. We conducted a systematic review assessing available evidence on epidemiology, interventions and management of NCDs in acute and emergency care settings in Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa and a medical hub for the continent. Methods All searches were run on July 15, 2015 and updated on December 11, 2020, capturing concepts of NCDs, and acute and emergency care. The study is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018088621). Results We retrieved a total of 461 references, and an additional 23 articles in grey literature. 391 studies were excluded by title or abstract, and 93 articles read in full. We included 10 articles in final thematic analysis. The majority of studies were conducted in tertiary referral or private/mission hospitals. Cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and renal disease were addressed. Majority of the studies were retrospective, cross-sectional in design; no interventions or clinical trials were identified. There was a lack of access to basic diagnostic tools, and management of NCDs and their complications was limited. Conclusion There is a paucity of literature on NCDs in Kenyan emergency care settings, with particular gaps on interventions and management. Opportunities include nationally representative, longitudinal research such as surveillance and registries, as well as clinical trials and implementation science to advance evidence-based, context-specific care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Ngaruiya
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Annrita Kawira
- Department of Surgery, Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, Kitui County, Kenya
| | - Florence Mali
- Department of Medicine, Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, Kitui County, Kenya
| | - Faith Kambua
- Department of Pharmacy, Kileleshwa Medical Plaza, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Beatrice Mwangi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Mbatha Wambua
- Accident and Emergency Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Denise Hersey
- Science Libraries, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Leff
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Benjamin Wachira
- Accident and Emergency Department, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Rublee C, Bills C, Sorensen C, Lemery J, Calvello Hynes E. At Ground Zero—Emergency Units in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries Building Resilience for Climate Change and Human Health. WORLD MEDICAL & HEALTH POLICY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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15
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Katyal A, Kumar A, Rajesh P, Mathew R, Bhoi S. Strengthening emergency care by developing data collection systems in low- and middle-income countries. Afr J Emerg Med 2021; 11:111-112. [PMID: 33680730 PMCID: PMC7910185 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergency care surveillance as well as registries of emergency care are largely absent in most LMICs. Improper data systems in Emergency Department create an important gap in our understanding about the health of large portions of the population. Clinical data systems in LMICs and lower-resource settings will foster research and generation of contextualized evidence.
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Abate H, Mekonnen C. Knowledge, Practice, and Associated Factors of Nurses in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Open Access Emerg Med 2020; 12:459-469. [PMID: 33408536 PMCID: PMC7781023 DOI: 10.2147/oaem.s290074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-hospital emergency care is a medical care given to patients before arrival in the hospital after activation of the emergency team. Poor knowledge and practice about pre-hospital emergency care hurt the health outcomes of the patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess knowledge and practice nurses at the University of Gondar Compressive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20 to April 10, 2020. A stratified sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a pretested structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. To explain study variables, frequency tables and percentages were used. Logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between independent and dependent variables. RESULTS Out of the total 378 respondents, less than half (42.9%) had good knowledge; similarly, 49.5% of them had good practice about pre-hospital emergency care. Male sex and attend formal training were significant associations with both knowledge and practice of pre-hospital emergency nursing care. Male participants (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 6.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.79-11.36)) and having training (AOR=1.74, 95% CI (1.83-3.66)) were significantly associated with knowledge of pre-hospital emergency care, whereas male sex (AOR=1.73, 95% CI (1.09-2.73)) and having training (AOR=6.16, 95% CI (2.69-14.10)) were significantly associated with the practice of pre-hospital emergency care. CONCLUSION Knowledge and practice of nurses regarding pre-hospital emergency care was found to be inadequate as compared to previous studies. Male sex and attend formal training showed a positive and significant association with both knowledge and practice of pre-hospital emergency nursing care. The responsible body ought to allow professional development and attending formal training for nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailemichael Abate
- Department of Medical Nursing, College of Health Science, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Chilot Mekonnen
- Department of Medical Nursing, College of Health Science, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Lecky FE, Reynolds T, Otesile O, Hollis S, Turner J, Fuller G, Sammy I, Williams-Johnson J, Geduld H, Tenner AG, French S, Govia I, Balen J, Goodacre S, Marahatta SB, DeVries S, Sawe HR, El-Shinawi M, Mfinanga J, Rubiano AM, Chebbi H, Do Shin S, Ferrer JME, Haddadi M, Firew T, Taubert K, Lee A, Convocar P, Jamaluddin S, Kotecha S, Yaqeen EA, Wells K, Wallis L. Harnessing inter-disciplinary collaboration to improve emergency care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): results of research prioritisation setting exercise. BMC Emerg Med 2020; 20:68. [PMID: 32867675 PMCID: PMC7457362 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-020-00362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) result from conditions that could be treated with emergency care - an integral component of universal health coverage (UHC) - through timely access to lifesaving interventions. METHODS The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to extend UHC to a further 1 billion people by 2023, yet evidence supporting improved emergency care coverage is lacking. In this article, we explore four phases of a research prioritisation setting (RPS) exercise conducted by researchers and stakeholders from South Africa, Egypt, Nepal, Jamaica, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, South Korea and Phillipines, USA and UK as a key step in gathering evidence required by policy makers and practitioners for the strengthening of emergency care systems in limited-resource settings. RESULTS The RPS proposed seven priority research questions addressing: identification of context-relevant emergency care indicators, barriers to effective emergency care; accuracy and impact of triage tools; potential quality improvement via registries; characteristics of people seeking emergency care; best practices for staff training and retention; and cost effectiveness of critical care - all within LMICs. CONCLUSIONS Convened by WHO and facilitated by the University of Sheffield, the Global Emergency Care Research Network project (GEM-CARN) brought together a coalition of 16 countries to identify research priorities for strengthening emergency care in LMICs. Our article further assesses the quality of the RPS exercise and reviews the current evidence supporting the identified priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona E Lecky
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | | | - Olubukola Otesile
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Sara Hollis
- World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Janette Turner
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Gordon Fuller
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Ian Sammy
- Scarborough General Hospital, Tobago, Canada
| | | | - Heike Geduld
- Divsion of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Ishtar Govia
- The University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Julie Balen
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | | | - Shaheem DeVries
- Emergency Medical Services for the Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hendry R Sawe
- Emergency Medical Association of Tanzania (EMAT), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Juma Mfinanga
- Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Andrés M Rubiano
- Neurosciences Institute, El Bosque University, Bogotá, Colombia
- Colombian Trauma Association, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Sang Do Shin
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | - Tsion Firew
- Columbia University, Emergency Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Andrew Lee
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, and Emergency Deparment, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Pauline Convocar
- Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, Parañaque, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Katie Wells
- Divsion of Emergency Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Lee Wallis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, F51 Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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18
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Bitter CC, Ngabirano AA, Simon EL, Taylor DM. Principles of research ethics: A research primer for low- and middle-income countries. Afr J Emerg Med 2020; 10:S125-S129. [PMID: 32837877 PMCID: PMC7423570 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethical oversight in the form of review boards and research ethics committees provide protection for research subjects as well as guidance for safe conduct of studies. As the number of collaborative emergency care research studies carried out in low- and middle-income countries increases, it is crucial to have a shared understanding of how ethics should inform choice of study topic, study design, methods of obtaining consent, data management, and access to treatment after closure of the study. This paper describes the basic principles of Western research ethics - respect for persons, beneficence, and justice - and how the principles may be contextualized in different settings, by researchers of various backgrounds with different funding streams. Examples of lapses in ethical practice of research are used to highlight best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy C. Bitter
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Annet Alenyo Ngabirano
- Aga Khan University, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Erin L. Simon
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron, OH, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - David McD. Taylor
- University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Austin Health, Heidelburg, Victoria, Australia
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Phillips G, Creaton A, Airdhill-Enosa P, Toito'ona P, Kafoa B, O'Reilly G, Cameron P. Emergency care status, priorities and standards for the Pacific region: A multiphase survey and consensus process across 17 different Pacific Island Countries and Territories. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC 2020; 1:100002. [PMID: 34173588 PMCID: PMC7382998 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2020.100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Effective emergency care (EC) reduces mortality, aids disaster and outbreak response, and is necessary for universal health coverage. Surge events frequently challenge Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), where robust routine EC is required for resilient health systems. We aimed to describe the current status, determine priority actions and set minimum standards for EC systems development across the Pacific region. Methods We used a prospective, multiphase, expert consensus process to collect data from PICT EC stakeholders using focus groups, electronic surveys and panel review between August 2018 and April 2019. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, consensus agreement and graphic interpretation. We structured the research according to the World Health Organisation EC Systems and building block framework adapted for the Pacific context. Findings Over 200 participants from 17 PICTs engaged in at least one component of the multiphase process. Gaps in functional capacity exist in most PICTs for both facility-based and pre-hospital care. EC is a low priority across the Pacific and integrated poorly with disaster plans. Participants emphasised human resource support and government recognition of EC as priority actions, and generated 24 facility-based and 22 pre-hospital Pacific EC standards across all building blocks. Interpretation PICT stakeholders now have baseline indicators and a comprehensive roadmap for EC development within a globally recognised health systems framework. This study generates practical, context-appropriate tools to trigger further research, conduct evidence-based advocacy, drive future improvements and measure progress towards achieving universal health access for Pacific peoples. Funding Secretariat of the Pacific Community (partial)
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Phillips
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Emergency Physician, Emergency Department, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anne Creaton
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Emergency Physician, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, VIC, Australia
| | - Pai Airdhill-Enosa
- Director, Emergency Department, Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Apia, Samoa
| | - Patrick Toito'ona
- Deputy Director, Emergency Department, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Berlin Kafoa
- Director, Clinical Services Program, Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji
| | - Gerard O'Reilly
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Cameron
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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20
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Phillips G, Bowman K, Sale T, O'Reilly G. A Pacific needs analysis model: a proposed methodology for assessing the needs of facility-based emergency care in the Pacific region. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:560. [PMID: 32560685 PMCID: PMC7304213 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05398-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency care (EC) describes team-based, multidisciplinary clinical service provision, advocacy and health systems strengthening to address all urgent aspects of illness and injury for all people. In order to improve facility-based EC delivery, a structured framework is necessary to outline current capacity and future needs. This paper draws on examples of EC Needs Assessments performed at the national hospitals of three different Pacific Island Countries (PICs), to describe the development, implementation and validation of a structured assessment tool and methodological approach to conducting an EC Needs Assessment in the Pacific region. Methods This is a retrospective, descriptive analysis of the development of the Pacific Emergency Care Assessment (PECA) table using patient-focused principles within an EC systems framework. Tool implementation occurred through observation, literature review and interviews using a strengths-based, action-research and ethnographic methodological approach in Timor-Leste, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. The 2014 Solomon Islands EC Needs Assessment provides the main context to illustrate and discuss the overall conduct, feasibility, validity and reliability of the PECA tool and methodological approach. Results In each site, the methodological implementation enabled completion of both the PECA table and comprehensive report within approximately 6 weeks of first arriving in country. Reports synthesising findings, recommendations, priority action areas and strategies were distributed widely amongst stakeholders. Examples illustrate Face and Content, Construct and Catalytic validity, including subsequent process and infrastructure improvements triggered by the EC Needs Assessment in each site. Triangulation of information and consistency of use over time enhanced reliability of the PECA tool. Compared to other EC assessment models, the Pacific approach enabled rich data on capacity and real-life function of EC facilities. The qualitative, strengths-based method engenders long-term partnerships and positive action, but takes time and requires tailoring to a specific site. Conclusion In PICs and other global contexts where EC resources are underdeveloped, a PECA-style approach to conducting an EC Needs Assessment can trigger positive change through high local stakeholder engagement. Testing this qualitative implementation method with a standardised EC assessment tool in other limited resource contexts is the next step to further improve global EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Phillips
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Bowman
- Hospital Independence Program, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Trina Sale
- Emergency Department, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Gerard O'Reilly
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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21
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Kannan V, Tenner A, Sawe H, Osiro M, Kyobe T, Nahayo E, Rasamimanana N, Kivlehan S, Moresky R. Emergency care systems in Africa: A focus on quality. Afr J Emerg Med 2020; 10:S65-S72. [PMID: 33318905 PMCID: PMC7723896 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergency care systems (ECS) are undergoing a period of rapid development on the African continent. What were formerly large intake zones are now being shaped into dedicated emergency units. Emergency care providers are being trained via certificate and even residency programs. However, significant challenges still exist. Resource limitations, staffing, and other system inputs are often the easiest issues to identify, but they only account for part of the problem. There are other prominent barriers to the delivery of high quality emergency care including lack of governmental leadership, poor system and facility organization, lack of provider training, and community misunderstanding of ECS functions. Released in May 2019, World Health Assembly (WHA) 72 resolution 12.9 "Emergency care systems for universal health coverage: ensuring timely care for the acutely ill and injured" has squarely placed ECS strengthening as a priority item to member state governments. Moving forward, it will be important to ensure that these systems are set up for success, as high-quality emergency care systems have the potential to avert half of all deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). With momentum building from the recent WHA amendment and the health systems community more focused than ever on the consideration of quality in health systems design, it is of the utmost importance that ECS planners dovetail these interests such that these nascent systems are designed while 1) applying a systems thinking lens and 2) maintaining a focus on quality. This article helps to accomplish this by breaking down ECS into five major categories for evaluation as defined by the WHO Emergency Care Systems Assessment tool, providing an understanding of the functions of each, and identifying which indicators might be used to gauge performance. We also reinforce the notion that these indicators must dive deeper than system inputs and health outcomes, they must be patient centered in order to truly be reflective of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- V.C. Kannan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A. Tenner
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - H.R. Sawe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - M. Osiro
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Uganda
| | - T. Kyobe
- Association of Ambulance Professionals Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - E. Nahayo
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - S. Kivlehan
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R. Moresky
- Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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22
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Establishing injury surveillance in emergency departments in Nepal: protocol for mixed methods prospective study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:433. [PMID: 32423459 PMCID: PMC7236178 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, injuries cause more than 5 million deaths annually, a similar number to those from HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined. In people aged between 5 and 44 years of age trauma is the leading cause of death and disability and the burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Like other LMICs, injuries represent a significant burden in Nepal and data suggest that the number is increasing with high morbidity and mortality. In the last 20 years there have been significant improvements in injury outcomes in high income countries as a result of organised systems for collecting injury data and using this surveillance to inform developments in policy and practice. Meanwhile, in most LMICs, including Nepal, systems for routinely collecting injury data are limited and the establishment of injury surveillance systems and trauma registries have been proposed as ways to improve data quality and availability. Methods This study will implement an injury surveillance system for use in emergency departments in Nepal to collect data on patients presenting with injuries. The surveillance system will be introduced in two hospitals and data collection will take place 24 h a day over a 12-month period using trained data collectors. Prospective data collection will enable the description of the epidemiology of hospital injury presentations and associated risk factors. Qualitative interviews with stakeholders will inform understanding of the perceived benefits of the data and the barriers and facilitators to embedding a sustainable hospital-based injury surveillance system into routine practice. Discussion The effective use of injury surveillance data in Nepal could support the reduction in morbidity and mortality from adult and childhood injury through improved prevention, care and policy development, as well as providing evidence to inform health resource allocation. This study seeks to test a model of injury surveillance based in emergency departments and explore factors that have the potential to influence extension to additional settings.
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Alegana VA, Khazenzi C, Akech SO, Snow RW. Estimating hospital catchments from in-patient admission records: a spatial statistical approach applied to malaria. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1324. [PMID: 31992809 PMCID: PMC6987150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Admission records are seldom used in sub-Saharan Africa to delineate hospital catchments for the spatial description of hospitalised disease events. We set out to investigate spatial hospital accessibility for severe malarial anaemia (SMA) and cerebral malaria (CM). Malaria admissions for children between 1 month and 14 years old were identified from prospective clinical surveillance data recorded routinely at four referral hospitals covering two complete years between December 2015 to November 2016 and November 2017 to October 2018. These were linked to census enumeration areas (EAs) with an age-structured population. A novel mathematical-statistical framework that included EAs with zero observations was used to predict hospital catchment for malaria admissions adjusting for spatial distance. From 5766 malaria admissions, 5486 (95.14%) were linked to specific EA address, of which 272 (5%) were classified as cerebral malaria while 1001 (10%) were severe malaria anaemia. Further, results suggest a marked geographic catchment of malaria admission around the four sentinel hospitals although the extent varied. The relative rate-ratio of hospitalisation was highest at <1-hour travel time for SMA and CM although this was lower outside the predicted hospital catchments. Delineation of catchments is important for planning emergency care delivery and in the use of hospital data to define epidemiological disease burdens. Further hospital and community-based studies on treatment-seeking pathways to hospitals for severe disease would improve our understanding of catchments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Alegana
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box, 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, Southampton, UK.
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, LA1 4YR, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Cynthia Khazenzi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box, 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel O Akech
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box, 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Robert W Snow
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box, 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7LJ, Oxford, UK
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